Junaid, Hafeez receive warm welcome

Published June 22, 2017
Pakistan's Junaid Khan celebrates after taking the wicket of India's Ravindra Jadeja during the ICC Champions Trophy final cricket match between India and Pakistan at The Oval in London on June 18, 2017.
Title-holders India were set a target of 339 to win the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan at The Oval on Sunday. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE — AFP or licensors
Pakistan's Junaid Khan celebrates after taking the wicket of India's Ravindra Jadeja during the ICC Champions Trophy final cricket match between India and Pakistan at The Oval in London on June 18, 2017. Title-holders India were set a target of 339 to win the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan at The Oval on Sunday. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE — AFP or licensors

PESHAWAR/LAHORE: Exp­eri­enced batsman Mohammad Hafeez and pace bowler Junaid Khan, two members of Pakistan’s victorious team that clinched the ICC Champions Trophy by outclassing arch-rivals in style, returned home to a rousing welcome on Wednesday.

Left-armer Junaid, who was the third highest wicket-taker at the Champions Trophy capturing eight wickets in four matches, received warm reception by thousands of vociferous fans along with the pacer’s relatives soon after he reached the Swabi-interchange via Islamabad.

A number of fans from Dagai in Swabi, Junaid’s native village, had also come to Peshawar to welcome their hero who produced an impressive bowling show (6 overs, 1 maiden, 20 runs, 1 wicket) against India in the high-octane final at The Oval.

“Not playing against India in the [Champions Trophy] group match really saddened me but when I got the chance of making a comeback in the final, I tried hard to be there as a team member,” 27-year-old Junaid said while talking to reporters.

“We with the prayers of entire nation won the prestigious Champions Trophy title which no doubt lifted the image of Pakistan internationally,” the pacer underlined while hoping that the memorable triumph would boost the chances of international cricket returning to Pakistan.

“Hopefully, with our victory in the Champions Trophy the negative perception of some of the foreign players about Pakistan will now change and they will come to our country to play cricket,” he said.

Commenting on the final, Junaid said, “The team had no pressure whatsoever while playing against India in the big final. The loss to India in the group game had saddened the whole team and our fans too. Therefore, we started the final with just one goal: victory.

“We played like a team and every member delivered his best in the final.”

Junaid said soon after Eid-ul-Fitr he would leave for England to play county cricket.

Meanwhile, seasoned all-rounder Hafeez received a hearty welcome on his arrival in Lahore.

Coming in to bat at No.5 in the final, right-handed Hafeez smashed an unbeaten 37-ball 57 that helped Pakistan post a huge 338-4 off their 50 overs.

Hafeez, 36, reached the Allama Iqbal International Airport where he was accorded a warm welcome by family, friends and cricket fans.

Petals were showered on him, and slogans of ‘Pakistan Zind­abad’ and ‘Professor Zindabad’ were chanted.

Talking to reporters, Hafeez said Sarfraz Ahmed led the team brilliantly in the elite eight-team Champions Trophy, adding there was no pressure on Pakistan in the major final against India.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...