The journey of the Pakistan cricket team in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 concluded with a defeat against England, marking the end of a challenging campaign.
Captain Babar Azam, accompanied by PCB staff, returned to Lahore on a private flight from Dubai, where the tournament had taken place.
KING BABAR AZAM 👑🫀 Return Back To Lahore, PAKISTAN.
His Elder brother and His Fans Were There To Receive Him With “PAKISTAN ZINDABAD” slogans 💗#BabarAzam𓃵 #pakistanzindabad ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ESgd15Wvt1— PCT ARMY 🤌🏻💚 (@Laibyy471) November 13, 2023
At the Lahore airport, a inspiring sight unfolded as enthusiastic fans chanted “Pakistan Zindabad” to welcome Babar Azam back home. Despite the team’s disappointing performance, the captain and players were greeted with support and patriotism from the crowd.
Watch video of arrival here:
The team’s return was not uniform, with players making their way back in different groups. Agha Salman, Imam-ul-Haq, and Shaheen Shah Afridi had already reached Lahore from Kolkata via Dubai.
Meanwhile, other players opted to travel directly to their respective hometowns after the conclusion of the World Cup.
In the aftermath of a below-par performance in the Indian tournament, the squad departed in two groups.
The first batch took off from Kolkata at 8:55 am on Sunday through Emirates flight EK571, while the remaining members left at 08:20 pm on the same day via Emirates flight EK573. Upon reaching Dubai, players and staff were scheduled to disperse to their individual cities.
The return of the Pakistan cricket team marks the end of a challenging chapter, and reflections on the World Cup campaign are inevitable.
As the players reunite with their families and communities, the cricketing fraternity and fans will look forward to the team’s resurgence in future endeavors. Despite the setbacks, the warm reception at the airport is a testament to the strong support of the nation for its cricketing heroes.
