Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has given a rather controversial statement with regards to the national team playing in India in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Mushtaq, who was part of the 1992 World Cup-winning team, believes Pakistan will receive a lot of support in cities like Hyderabad and Ahmedabad due to the large population of Muslims.
Mushtaq’s comment came after the Pakistan cricket team landed in India on Wednesday (September 27) to participate in the World Cup amid a rousing reception from the fans outside the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.
"Ahmedabad aur Hyderabad dono jo inke cities hai, yaha par population musalmano ki bahut zyada hai. Aur iss wajeh se he aap dekhenge ki airport se lekr hotel tak puri puri raat logo ko khade hote dekha hai. (Ahmedabad and Hyderabad are such cities where the population of Muslims is quite high. That is why you see (support) at the airport)," Mushtaq said while speaking to a Pakistan news channel.
Pakistan are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign against Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6.
The Men in Green will also play their second match in Hyderabad against Sri Lanka on October 10, before moving to Ahmedabad for a high-octane clash versus India on October 14.
