Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has said that India would have received a grander welcome had they travelled to host nation Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, which is set to begin on February 19. Team India didn’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, instead they will play their matches in Dubai.
Following India’s insistence on not travelling to host nation Pakistan for the showpiece event, both sides reached a consensus. According to new agreement, India will play their matches in UAE while all of Pakistan’s teams will be given an option of playing their games at a neutral venue (in the events hosted by India) until the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup.
Meanwhile, having travelled to India to play the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman said that he will miss playing in India. He also enjoyed the kind of supper they got from locals.
"Yes, we will definitely miss (playing in India). We enjoyed a lot during our visit there for the ODI World Cup 2023. We were delighted with the kind of support and the hospitality we got there. The locals gave us a warm welcome when we went to Hyderabad for the first time, they all showered their love on us. Yes, we will miss it all," " Fakhar Zaman said on Sports Tak.
"If India had come to Pakistan, we would have given them an even grander welcome and hospitality but they are not coming. It's fine, but we're excited to play against them in Dubai," Zaman added.
Fakhar Zaman, who has not featured for Pakistan in ODIs since the ODI World Cup 2023, is likely to play in the Champions Trophy. India and Pakistan will face each other on February 23 at Dubai International Stadium.