“Bahut Zyada Respect Milti Hai Wahan”: Pakistan Player Talks About Playing In India

Pakistan last played a bilateral series against India in January 2013. The series was set in the latter’s home country. However, the growing political tensions between the two countries since then have placed another bilateral series out of the question. Since then, India and Pakistan have only met at ICC events and the Asia Cup. This has undoubtedly reduced the amount of matches played between the two sides prior to 2013, as well as the enjoyment of cricket fans who like seeing the rivalry between the two sides on the field.

Whatever occurs on the national level, the players on both teams have generally maintained a cordial relationship. With the exception of a few incidents, both teams’ fans have been civil during their archrivalry matches.

When asked about his experience playing in India on his home turf, wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal stated that the Indian crowd respects Pakistani players.

“India mai khelna mujhe bahut acha lagta hai. Asia mein, especially, khelna bahut acha lagta hai. Abhi tak mai Pakistan mein home series itni lambi nahi khela, sirf do matches khela hoon T20, usme bhi unlucky raha. Pehli, pehli ball par out hota raha (I like playing in India and in Asia. I haven’t played a big series in Pakistan till date and only played in two T20Is in that also I got out for 0),” said out-of-favour player Umar Akmal to a Pakistani journalist on latter’s YouTube channel.

“India mein jab khelta hoon, aisa lagta hai jaise apni country mein khelta raha hoon. Crowd bahut jyada respect deta hai dono teams ko. Ye nahi hai ki sirf Indian team ko respect deta hai, vo waha jo bhi team aaye usko bahut respect dete hai. Especially Pakistani players ko bahut jyada respect milti hai wahan pe (in India). Maja aata hai waha par khelne mai (Whenever I have played in India, I feel as if I’m playing in my own country. The crowd in India respects both teams; Indian fans love Pakistani players and cheer for them too,” Akmal added.

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