'To be honest...': Babar Azam's candid admission on Indian hospitality during World Cup 2023

Despite Pakistan's struggles in the ODI World Cup 2023, captain Babar Azam expressed gratitude for the warm reception he has received from Indian fans. Having arrived in India for the first time in September with aspirations of lifting the coveted trophy, Babar has witnessed firsthand the passion and enthusiasm of Indian cricket enthusiasts. While Pakistan's World Cup campaign has not unfolded as planned, with the team facing an early exit, Babar has acknowledged the unwavering support of Indian fans and the warm Indian hospitality at the World Cup. Despite amassing 282 runs, including four half-centuries, Babar failed to catapult Pakistan to the World Cup 2023's semifinals. Nevertheless, he remains appreciative of the love and encouragement shown by Indian fans throughout the tournament.

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In the pre-match press conference ahead of Pakistan vs England clash, Babar admitted,"To be honest - first I got a lot of love from India, a lot of support. Not only me, the entire team." 

"Of course, I was not able to get a good finish. My goal was to get a good finish in the batting. I didn't have a goal to score 50 or 100. The main thing was to make the win the team. The performance that helps the team, not my individual performance. I played slow, I played fast, depending on the situation. I play according to the situation and according to what my team need," Babar said in a pre-match press conference," he added.

"We came here for the first time, we didn't have the awareness of how to take it, but we adapted as soon as possible in practice, that we will have to face it like this. So, we faced this thing, we took it and planned accordingly that how do we bat here. Because as I said, in the middle and end you get runs. In the middle overs when the ball is old you struggle a bit - as a batsman." Babar concluded.

Pakistan are now taking on England in their last league match at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium on November 11, Saturday.

But Pakistan's far-fetched hope of making it to the World Cup 2023's semifinals was devastated when England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bat first.

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