Virendra Sehwag (Source: X)
The Pakistan side arrived in India for the World Cup 2023 and received a warm welcome from the fans, paparazzi, journalists and authorities on their arrival. Many of Pakistan's stars publicly posted on their stories praising India's heart-warming hospitality to them, which they really liked.
Talking about hospitality, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag once commended the treatment given to them by Pakistan's public, shopkeepers, media and, in fact, by the security agencies. In an interview that happened a few months back, Sehwag revealed they were provided top-level security.
"When we toured Pakistan back in 2003-04, we found so much love from the Pakistani people. We were provided top-notch security there, which was similar to what the President of Pakistan had,"
Sehwag further narrated a story where he revealed that during the tour in 2003-04, how shopkeepers did not take any money from him, no matter where they go. Adding that, they received much love from people there who treated them as their guests.
"After the Pakistan tour, I had my wedding, so we went shopping before the second Test in Lahore. I needed some ladies' suits and Jutti (Punjabi Shoes), and therefore, I bought some 30-35 Pakistani suits and jutties for my family from a local market. The shopkeepers refused to accept my money when I offered them the sum, saying, 'I am their guest, and how he can take money from a guest'(Aap to humare mehmaan hai aur hum mehmaan se kaise paise le sakte hai).
"I asked them to give me one or two for free, but I needed 30-35, which is a huge number, then they said, 'No sir, this is your shop.' I bought something for everyone in my family, i.e. mother, sister, aunts, etc. We received such love everywhere in Pakistan. Whatever politics say, people across the borders still have love for each other."
The Indian opener's incredible story was the one for the ages, as the love between the two nations has always been there. Similarly, we hope that the Pakistan team also gets hospitality of this kind, which happens to be their first tour after the 2016 T20 World Cup.
.jpg?type=mq?im=Resize=(250, 250) "Arnav Chopra")
