Against expectations a large number of people warmly welcomed the Pakistan cricket team in Karachi on Friday as they returned following defeat by India in the World Cup semi-final on March 30.
A large number of people gathered at Karachi airport to welcome the team. Normally, the cricket crazy people would throw eggs and tomatoes on the players when they return defeated. The honours for winning are also unprecedented.
The welcome was similar at both Karachi and Lahore airports, where people gathered in small pockets carrying banners and garlands and shouting slogans. The people shouted “boom boom Afridi” and raised slogans holding banners for support of cricket players.
Captain Shahid Afridi said that the team need a batting coach. He said that the senior players must take some rest and young players should be included in the squad.
Afridi said that he was thankful to entire nation “from the bottom of my heart” for the support extended to the team. He vowed to display a good show consistently. The players’ goal was to play with unity and this “helped us to reach the semi-final” of the mega-event.
After being mobbed at the Karachi airport, Afridi was accompanied by legions of fans to his home, some 10 kilometres from the terminal.
“We were the only team that forced India to get out at that low total,” Afridi mentioned, adding that his side’s batting failed to click.
Afridi said that senior players should be dropped from West Indies tour to give them some rest. “I have yet to decide on West Indies tour,” he added. Though media reports claim he would take rest.