The stage is set for a battle of the willows, but before the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup gets underway this June, a unique diplomatic exchange has taken place. The US Embassy in Islamabad hosted a meet-and-greet for the Pakistani cricket team. Fostering goodwill and generating excitement for the tournament co-hosted by the US and the West Indies.
Cricket fever in the embassy!
Photos shared on the embassy’s social media platform captured the camaraderie between Pakistani cricket stars and Ambassador Donald Blome. Imagine Shaheen Shah Afridi, the fiery left-arm fast bowler, schooling the ambassador on the finer points of bowling with a special cricket ball.
The players even presented Blome with a signed bat and jersey. It was a gesture surely reciprocated by the ambassador’s gift of a commemorative embassy cricket ball and an autographed softball bat.
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This wasn’t just a photo op. Pakistani players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Imad Wasim displayed their cricketing prowess, bowling, and batting to the delight of the embassy staff. Smiles, selfies, and autographs flowed freely, solidifying the bond between the team and the US mission.
With the World Cup looming, Pakistan is currently finalizing its squad. Selectors are eagerly awaiting fitness updates on injured players like Haris Rauf and Azam Khan before announcing the teams for upcoming tours of Ireland and England. These matches will be a crucial test for hopefuls vying for a coveted spot in the World Cup squad.
Also read: Shaheen Afridi Clinches Title Of Highest-Rated T20I Bowler In Latest ICC Rankings
A training camp is set to kick off in Lahore on May 3rd, prepping the team for their Irish challenge. With the May 25th deadline set by the International Cricket Council for finalizing World Cup squads, the pressure is on.
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