As the high-voltage World Cup 2023 Pakistan – India match plays out in Ahmedabad, there are no Pakistani fans at the Narendra Modi stadium.
Pakistani fans were not given a visa by the Modi government but the Green Shirts have all the support off the ground from home with the public glued to the screen and politicians, along with celebrities, cheering for them on social media.
Caretaker PM Anwar-ul-haq Kakkar extended his support to the team in a tweet saying, “Let’s bring it home”.
Best of luck to our cricket team for today’s match against India! May you play with determination, skill, and the unwavering fighting spirit that you’re known for. The entire nation is behind you, cheering for you. Let’s bring it home! #PAKvIND
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) October 14, 2023
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also took to X to show his enthusiasm by saying that he is “Rooting for Team Green”.
Rooting for Team Green, today and always! Make us proud #ICCCricketWorldCup23
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) October 14, 2023
Asma Sherazi lamented the visas not being issued but wished the team well.
It’s unfortunate that India has not issued visa to Pakistani spectators for @cricketworldcup and the big match in support of Pakistan Cricket Team. Even Pakistani media was issued with very few Visas just two days before. Anyhow #GoodLuck #GreenShirts #PAKvIND @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/jNBxvnUbQG
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) October 14, 2023
Ex-cricketers seemed to be equally excited as Mohammad Hafeez posted about the “Match of the year” and expressed his wish for the team to win.
Match of the year 2023 #PAKvIND #CWC23 excited & as always supporting team Pakistan to win this contest. Pakistan Zindabad pic.twitter.com/iTPqmzUKmK
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 14, 2023
Wasim Akram reminded the team that “at the end of the day it’s just a game, go out there and do what you do best”.
Remember boys at the end of the day it’s just a Game, go out there and do what you do the best, we all are rooting for you. #PAKvIND #CWC23 #IamGAME #Cricket #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/55LiaInti5
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) October 14, 2023
Shaharyar Ejaz, a journalist tweeting live from the ground, wrote that he hoped to see the team win on Indian soil.
Alhamdulillah safely reached Narendra Modi Stadium to witness the big clash. In Sha Allah, I will witness Pakistan Win on Indian Soil Today, Pakistan Zindabad ♥️.#PAKvIND #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/amPtqG4DzN
— Shaharyar Ejaz (@SharyOfficial) October 14, 2023
Filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi hoped for team Pakistan to play out a “suprise”.
We will surprise you #PAKvIND
— Nabeel Qureshi (@nabeelqureshi) October 14, 2023
Fahad Mustafa cheered the team with, “Let’s do this boys”.
Lets do this boys!#PakistanCricketTeam #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/ZdUlek8wiS
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) October 14, 2023
On the other side, there are people vehemently criticizing the Indian Government for not issuing visas to Pakistani fans.
Professor Ashok Swain lambasted the Government by saying that “It’s not Cricket, It’s Low-life’s Politics”.
Pakistan cricket team is playing against India in Gujarat today in Modi Stadium. The Hindu supremacist regime has not given visas to Pakistani fans. It is not cricket, it is low-life’s politics.
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) October 14, 2023
Another user criticised the crowd for trampling the spirit of the game as videos of them booing Pakistan captain Babar Azam circulated on social media.
Ahmedabad crowd booing @babarazam258 when he begins speaking at the toss . Not done. Sorry to all those in the city of my birth.. this is NOT cricket. #INDvsPAK
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 14, 2023