By Muhammad Luqman
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday welcomed the Pakistan cricket team to the Prime Minister House for winning the ICC Champions Trophy after defeating arch rivals India in London’s historic Oval ground last month.
The premier hosted a ceremony in the honour of the team that was broadcast live. It was attended by cabinet members, officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board and former cricketers.
Addressing the participants, the prime minister recalled how he used to play cricket in his younger days.
The participants broke out in laughter when Nawaz Sharif said even Panama Papers leak and the JIT couldn’t give him the pain he had to endure when he and his teammates were forced out of a cricket ground in his college days.
The prime minister said he couldn’t recall how many sixes he had hit in the past, but he was sure he struck more boundaries. He said he always disliked the bouncers.
“We are conquers of every ground. Don’t beg any team for a visit if they are not willing to come,” he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan announced that Sarfraz Ahmed is being appointed as the caption of the Test squad too.
Pakistan had crushed defending champions India by 180 runs at The Oval to win the Champions Trophy for the first time on June 18.
A century by Fakhar Zaman and a devastating bowling display by Pakistan ended India’s hopes of becoming the first team to capture the title three times.
