BENGALURU: In a heartwarming gesture, the Pakistan men's team received a warm welcome as they departed from Bengaluru to Kolkata on a chartered flight for their match against England in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Indian Airlines decorated the interior of the plane with green lights to celebrate the team's recent victory.
The Men in Green had reason to celebrate, having secured a significant victory against New Zealand in their previous match. The win had not only boosted their spirits but also positioned them well as they remain in contention for finishing in final four of the competition.
The upcoming clash, scheduled for November 11, will see Pakistan face off against England.
The Men in Green defeated New Zealand by 21 (DLS method) runs in the 35th match of the event at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India, on Saturday and are still alive in the race to the semi-final of the mega event.
The match halted due to rain while the Green Shirts were batting at 200-1 in 25.3 overs with Fakhar Zaman (126*) and skipper Babar Azam (66*) still on the crease.
Courtesy of a blistering batting display by Fakhar, Pakistan were 21 runs ahead on the DLS score after 25.3 overs and emerged victorious.
Remember, the 194-run partnership between Azam and Fakhar propelled the Green Shirts to an essential win as they now prepare to take on the struggling England team at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on November 11.
Fakhar also scored the fastest century (63 balls) for Pakistan in a World Cup match overtaking former cricketer Imran Nazir who did it in 95 balls against Zimbabwe in the 2007 World Cup.
The 33-year-old hit 11 sixes in the process, becoming the only fourth batter to score ten or more sixes in the history of the World Cup.
Batting first, the Black Caps posted 401-6, the second-highest total of the ongoing competition on the back of Rachin Ravindra (108), Kane Williamson (95) and Glenn Phillips (41).
Mark Chapman (39), Daryl Mitchell (29) and Mitchell Santner (26) made valuable contributions.
Williamson, back in the team after breaking his thumb earlier in the tournament, fell for 95 after sharing a 180-run second-wicket partnership with Ravindra.
Pakistan's fast bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf set unwanted records as both pacers bowled the most expensive spells for the Men in Green in World Cup history with the former conceding 90 runs in 10 overs, while the latter conceded 85 in 10 overs.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.