While welcoming the cricketers, the High Commissioner Major General (R) Syed Shakeel Hussain said that the current series has been a memorable one for both sides; “for Pakistan it was significant due to our first test series victory on Sri Lankan soil after a gap of nine years and for Sri Lanka it was the last series of its two cricketing legends and excellent brand Ambassadors of Sri Lankan cricket, Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakara”.
He appreciated the heroics performances by Pakistan’s old guard led by the experienced Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq, as well as equally outstanding performances from the youngsters Azhar Ali, Yasir Shah, Shoaib Malik, Ahmed Shehzad, Muhammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Rahat Ali and Sarfraz Ahmad.
The High Commissioner said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka are extremely passionate about cricket as it runs in our blood. He drew attention to the close sporting ties the two countries share and expressed his hope that these ties will continue to grow and flourish.
He highlighted that Pakistan was the most vocal supporter in ICC for granting test cricket status to Sri Lanka. He recalled Sri Lanka’s historic world cup victory in Lahore and said that every Pakistani was a Sri Lankan supporter on that day.
The High Commissioner said that we have a lot to learn from Sri Lankan cricket in terms of its domestic cricket structure and coaching standards. He hoped that the regular visits of under19 teams and A teams would help in grooming young players and improving standards.
Shakeel Hussain expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Sri Lanka for their unwavering support to Pakistan Cricket in the most adverse circumstances. He expressed the hope that the Sri Lanka friends would extend their support in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan.
A large number of dignitaries from different walks of lives including Senior Sri Lankan Ministers, Government functionaries, members of the diplomatic corps, senior officers of the High Commission, Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka and a large segment of media attended the event.
The team mingled with the guests allowing opportunities to be photographed with them and sign autographs.
