A video showing Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Zaka Ashraf referring to India as “dushman mulk” (enemy nation) has gone viral on social media as Pakistan players enjoy warm welcomes in India as they are one of the countries taking part in the World Cup 2023.
On September 27, the Pakistan cricket squad arrived in Hyderabad and was greeted enthusiastically by Indian spectators. Many Pakistani athletes, notably the team’s captain Babar Azam expressed appreciation for the welcome they got in India.
On the other hand, a video of PCB head Ashraf making the statement about the adversary country has been doing a lot of talking on social media.
He said in the video, “Players hain inka morale upar rehna chahiye jab ye kisi dushman mulk ya kisi bhi jagah khelne jaayen jahan wo competition ho raha ho, to they should go with the full support of the nation aur unko ek achche tarike se perform kar saken.” [When the players go to an enemy country or where the competition is being held, you should support them so that they can perform well].”
Many people have criticised the PCB director for making the contentious claim. They are asserting categorically that he ought not to have used the phrase “dushman mulk.”
Look at India's reception of Pakistani players and consider the remark made by the chairman of the PCB, Zaka Ashraf, who referred to India as 'Dushman Mulk'. It raises the question as to why certain individuals harbor so much hatred. #NamakHaram
pic.twitter.com/2SVwVTWwEz— Wazhma Ayoubi ?? (@WazhmaAyoubi) September 28, 2023
“The top-four is a small goal for us” : Babar Azam
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said that his team are striving for the title. He simply said that a top-four finish wouldn’t suit them at a news conference. The batter said this before departing for the ODI World Cup in India.
He said, “I hope we come back with a trophy this time. The top-four is a small goal for us. We want to come out as winners. We did not have enough time to put together a camp before the World Cup because we had been playing for too long continuously. We wanted to give the players a break so they come back refreshed and with the hunger to win. You play well when you have that hunger.”