Web Desk
Former Indian Test cricketer Virender Sehwag recently shared his heartfelt appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality he and his team received from the Pakistani people during their visit to the country in 2003. Sehwag reminisced about the tour during an interview on a YouTube channel, highlighting the overwhelming kindness extended to them by the locals.
“No one ever took any money from us in Pakistan, I bought 30-35 sarees for my family from Lahore, and they didn’t take a penny,” Virender Sehwag.
‘Aap toh mehmaan ho, aapse paise kese le sakte hain hum?’ ❤️
Video courtesy: Oaktree Sports & @gauravkapur / @virendersehwag pic.twitter.com/mud4PUUkDY
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) June 5, 2023
Recalling their experience, Sehwag expressed, “When we toured Pakistan back in 2003-04, we found so much love from the Pakistani people.” He went on to share a memorable incident from their trip to Lahore, where they went shopping before the second Test match. Sehwag mentioned purchasing around 30-35 Pakistani suits for his family from a local market, but to his surprise, the shopkeeper refused to accept payment, insisting that as a guest, he could not take money from them. This act of generosity was a testament to the warm reception they received throughout Pakistan.
During the interview, Sehwag also paid tribute to former Pakistani cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq, whom he held in high regard. He praised Inzamam as the “biggest middle-order batter in Asia,” acknowledging his remarkable skills during the 2003-04 period. Sehwag emphasized that while Sachin Tendulkar was a legendary figure beyond comparison, Inzamam’s contributions in the middle-order were exceptional. Despite the pressure of high-stakes situations, Inzamam remained composed and consistently scored runs, making him a standout player during that era.
Inzamam-ul-Haq is widely recognized as one of the finest batsmen produced by Pakistan. He represented his country in 120 Tests, 378 ODIs, and a T20I from 1991 to 2007. His notable achievements include being part of Pakistan’s World Cup-winning squad in 1992.
Sehwag’s sincere gratitude and fond memories of the warm hospitality they received from the Pakistani people shed light on the camaraderie that transcends cricket rivalries and emphasizes the power of sports to bring people together.
