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