Zaka Ashraf takes U-turn after backlash on ‘enemy country’ comment

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board's Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, has taken a U-turn on his statement, in which he made an indirect reference to India as an "enemy country" on Wednesday evening as the Pakistan cricket team arrived in Hyderabad, India, to participate in the ICC World Cup 2023.

"The morale of the players should be up when they go to an enemy country or where the competition is being held. They should go with full support of the nation so that they can perform well," Ashraf had said.

Ashraf's comment left a bitter impression and upset Indian fans, leading to an outpouring of outrage among them.

However, in a statement released by the PCB on Friday, Zaka Ashraf altered his position, highlighting the warm reception the Pakistan men’s cricket team received in India, particularly at the Hyderabad airport. He pointed out that this warm welcome illustrated the mutual affection that exists between the people of both countries for each other's players.

Ashraf mentioned that whenever India and Pakistan step onto the cricket field, they emerge as traditional rivals but not as enemies.

Expressing optimism, he conveyed his hope that the camaraderie and warmth exhibited during the team's arrival in India would persist throughout the entire World Cup.