Biryani, a beloved dish in Hyderabad, has exceeded Babar Azam’s expectations. However, the Pakistani cricket captain is concerned that the 50-overs World Cup matches may lack excitement due to short boundaries at most Indian venues.
Babar and his team were warmly received in Hyderabad, marking their first tour of India since the T20 World Cup in 2016. Due to the strained political relationship between the two countries, bilateral cricket matches remain suspended, and they only face each other in multi-team events.
The team was pleasantly surprised by the support they received upon their arrival in Hyderabad, where they played their warm-up matches. Their journey to secure a second 50-overs World Cup title will begin in the same southern Indian city against the Netherlands on Friday.
“The hospitality has been quite nice – something we didn’t expect,” Babar shared during a pre-tournament media interaction with nine other captains on Wednesday. “After spending a week in Hyderabad, it feels like we’re at home, not in India.”
A member of the Pakistan support staff took to social media to praise Hyderabad’s renowned biryani. All-rounder Shadab Khan also jokingly remarked that their frequent indulgence in biryani had slowed them down on the field. “We had heard a lot about Hyderabadi biryani, and we loved it,” Babar shared, expressing his appreciation for the popular dish.
However, Babar expressed his concern about the short boundaries at some Indian venues, fearing that it might make it difficult for bowlers during the next six weeks. “The boundaries are small, leaving no margin for the bowlers,” he explained. “If the bowlers make even a slight mistake, the batsmen will take advantage of it, resulting in high scores.”
These worries are understandable, especially considering that Pakistan’s bowling suffered a blow when Naseem Shah, one of their key pacers, was ruled out of the World Cup due to a shoulder injury. Nonetheless, Babar remains hopeful about his bowling unit. Led by left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi, he believes that their bowling prowess is still a strength for the team. “It’s the same team that has been playing together for the past three years, and I think our bowling remains strong,” Babar added optimistically.
Overall, while Babar has enjoyed the warm hospitality and flavorsome biryani in Hyderabad, he hopes that the boundaries in the upcoming matches will not take away the excitement of the game. With his team’s strength lying in their bowling, they aim to showcase their skills and compete for the World Cup title.