Whenever India and Pakistan step onto the cricket field, they emerge as traditional rivals but not as enemies, PCB’s Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf has said after facing backlash from cricket fans over his statement.

The term “traditional rivals” was mentioned in a statement issued by the cricket board on Friday.

This comes after a video of Ashraf surfaced on social media where he referred to the hosts of World Cup 2023 as an “enemy country”, stirring controversy as the national side landed in the neighbouring country on Wednesday.

Many fans were disappointed by the statement, stating that the Green Shirts were giving a warm reception upon their arrival in India. “Overwhelmed with the love and support here in Hyderabad!” Pakistan skipper Babar Azam wrote in one of his Instagram stories with a smiling picture after arriving in India.

Friday’s statement quoted Ashraf as saying that the “fantastic reception” of the Pakistan men’s cricket team in India for the World Cup proved how much love the people of both countries have for each other’s players.

“This love was evident by the reception arranged at the Hyderabad airport,” said Ashraf who personally congratulated the Indians over arranging a reception of this kind.

He expressed hope that Pakistan cricketers would receive the same warmth throughout the entire event and that Indian fans would get to see the best cricket from Pakistan players.

Ashraf, who is in his second stint at the post, reflected how historically whenever the Pakistan men’s cricket team visited India, they have received a warm and cordial reception, just as Indian teams have been welcomed in Pakistan. “This is because cricket is a sport that has always played a bridging role between the two nations, and cricketers from both countries have remained popular in and well-loved by fans in both India and Pakistan.”

The PCB Management Committee chairman also emphasised that cricket between Pakistan and India had always been the centre of global attention which was why cricket between the two countries was “considered more significant” than the other contests in this sport.

He expressed his desire for the restoration of bilateral cricketing relations between the two countries, allowing millions of cricket fans from both nations the opportunity to watch such players perform live.

He hoped that the Indian cricket team would also visit Pakistan soon, enabling the Green Shirts to reciprocate the warmth and love shown by India to the Pakistan cricket team.