Pakistan cricket team commends Lankan hospitality

by Omar Rajarathnam

The Pakistan cricket team has always maintained a close relationship with Sri Lanka Cricket and our visit here this time has strengthen our partnership, said Manager of the Pakistan Cricket team Inthikhab Alam at a reception held on Wednesday at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.

Coach Waqar Younis, Captain Shahid Afridi and his team members were present at the event which was hosted by the High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Colombo.

"I am extremely satisfied with how our players have performed in the series this year and we are hopeful that we will be ranked on top in our group.

We have spent 11 days in Kandy this time and the hospitality has been great," Pakistan Manager said.

"I believe that the players have taken up cricket as a profession because they have the passion to excel in this sport and we want you to know that the whole of Pakistan is praying for you" said the Pakistan High Commissioner Seena Illahi Baloch.

The high commission presented souvenirs to the players before they posed for photographs with a large gathering of fans which was followed by dinner.

There was a similar demand for the official Pakistan flag bearer at matches Abdul Jalil popularly known by cricket followers as 'Chacha Cricket'.

"I began waving the Pakistani flag in 1968 in Lahore during a match between Pakistan and England. This is where Sri Lanka won the world cup in 1996 too, so I have my attachment with the Sri Lankan Cricket team too.

I have felt very welcome here, people identify me and treat me with a lot of kindness. Cricket is for enjoyment not for tension" Jalil told the Sunday Observer.