Amid the buzz around the India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the rousing welcome for the Pakistani cricket team in Ahmedabad has stirred controversy as the welcome given to the cricket team of the hostile neighbour doesn’t seem to impress the netizens who termed it cringe and needless.
As soon as the video pertaining to the welcome of the Pakistani cricket team surfaced in which the players of the Pakistan team can be seen being welcomed by a group of dancing girls while others showering on flowers and balloons were all over the floor, a number of social media users objected to the rousing welcome given to the Babar Azam led side.
A user on the social media platform X while posting a compiling video of Bharatiya soldiers coffins and 26/11 Mumbai attack along with the glimpses of welcome given to the Pakistan cricket team, wrote, ” Our brave Jawans sacrificed their lives for Bharat mata, certainly they don’t deserve this
The matter further irked a few notable users on X, who also expressed their disappointment over the conduct. Calling out the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), author and historian Vikram Sampat, in a tweet, said, ” In complete solidarity with our defence forces and brave martyrs, I refuse to watch any of these matches, especially with Pakistan. Not that it matters even one bit to BCCI or its cash spree, but every drop counts, and unlike them, at least my patriotic conscience is clear.”
In complete solidarity with our defence forces & brave martyrs, I refuse to watch any of these matches, especially with Pakistan . Not that it matters even one bit to @BCCI or it's cash-spree, but every drop counts & unlike them, atleast my patriotic conscience is clear. https://t.co/sZrZL0EfNv
— Dr. Vikram Sampath, FRHistS (@vikramsampath) October 12, 2023
Another popular user on the platform, Sinha wrote that ” Just a few weeks ago Pakistani terrorists killed our three soldiers and have killed thousands of soldiers, civilians till date. They always dream to break India into pieces and we are giving Pakistani cricketers a grand welcome?
Just a few weeks ago Pakistani terrorists kiIIed our 3 soldiers & have kiIIed thousands of soldiers-civilians till date, always dream to break India into pieces & we are giving Pakistani cricketers a grand welcome? Garba, Aarti n all, that too in Gujarat?
Seriously @BCCI? pic.twitter.com/m2ejoD07Y8
— Mr Sinha (@Mrsinha) October 12, 2023
Meanwhile terming the incident as a disrespect shown towards the soldiers, Swami Chakrapani in a video message said that the way BCCI has welcomed the Pakistani cricketers is an insult to the martyrs. The whole act is condemnable and the government should take cognizance into the matter.
"पाकिस्तानियों के स्वागत में फूल बरसाना सैनिकों का अपमान है"
◆ पाक टीम के स्वागत पर स्वामी चक्रपाणि ने कहा#indvspak2023 | #BCCI | @SwamyChakrapani pic.twitter.com/ptOjohljHC
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) October 12, 2023
It is worth mentioning here that according to the media accounts, the organisers of the marquee tournament have also planned a special event where the Bollywood stars are set to perform before the commencement of the match. Notably, no such event has been held before any other match of the tournament, and the BCCI did not even have a traditional opening ceremony ahead of the marquee tournament.
It is to be noted that India and Pakistan share a hostile relationship that has also contributed to the prohibition of any bilateral series between the two nations. The two teams only face each other in the tournaments organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and ICC.
