AHMEDABAD: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said on Wednesday his team “was not exp­e­cting” the warm reception they have received in India, claiming “it’s like we are at home”.

Babar and the Pakistan squad landed in Hyd­erabad under tight security last week for two war­m-ups at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium before they kick-start their tournament against the Netherlands at the same venue on Friday.

“I think the hospitality was nice -- we were not expecting this, but I think the way people are responding towards our team, everyone enjoyed it,” Babar said in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Pakistan take on Rohit Sharma-led India in Ahmedabad on Oct 14.

“It has been a week in Hyderabad, and it is not like we are in India. It is like we are at home,” the Pakistan captain, known for his world-class batting exploits, said.

A Pakistan support staff member took to soc­ial media to praise Hyderabad’s famous Biryani and, after one of the warm-up matches, all-roun­der Shadab Khan quipped gorging regularly on biryani had rendered them slower on the field.

“We had heard a lot about Hyderabadi Biryani and we loved it,” Babar said in his appreciation of the popular dish.

The captain said the showpiece in India was a massive platform for all the players to excel.

“I think it’s a golden opportunity for everyone to give their 100 percent and enjoy the tournament.”

India and Pakistan are bitter adversaries with longstanding political tensions. The teams only play cricket against each other in international tournaments. Pakistan last toured India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and for nearly all the players it’s a first trip to Indian shores.

“The moment we landed in Hyderabad, the way people welcomed us from the airport to the hotel and even on the ground in the last [warm-up] match, we felt good,” said the 28-year-old Babar who currently holds top spot in ICC ODI batting rankings.

But the right-hander added: “It would have been better if we had fans from our side. We will hope to get such support in every match, in every stadium, in every match.”

Many players from different major cricketing nations at the World Cup have experience of Indian pitches due to their participation in the Indian Premier League T20 event, which is held annually, whereas Pakistan players are banned from taking part.

However, Babar does not see this as a disadvantage in their World Cup planning.

“There is no pressure [on Pakistan players] at all. The [India] conditions are similar to those in Pakistan and [the rest of] Asia,” he said.

“It’s just that the boundaries are small here and the bowlers have little margin for error. There will be big scoring and you will have to adapt to that. So we will have to play to the best of our ability and give our best shot.”

Babar’s concerns are understandable considering Pakistan’s bowling lost considerable sting after speedster Naseem Shah was ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury.

However, the Pakistan skipper still has high expectations from his bowling unit led by left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“It’s more or less the same team playing the last three years together, and I think bowling remains our strength,” added Babar.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2023