US Ambassador hosts Pakistani cricket team ahead of T20 World Cup

LAHORE (Monitoring Desk): US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Bloom, hosted a reception for the Pakistani cricket team ahead of the T20 World Cup set to take place in the United States.

The event, held in Islamabad, provided an opportunity for Ambassador Bloom to extend his best wishes to the national cricket team for the upcoming tournament.

During the reception, Ambassador Bloom warmly welcomed the players and expressed his excitement for the T20 Cricket World Cup competitions scheduled to be held in America. As a token of goodwill and friendship, Ambassador Bloom presented the team members with a commemorative cricket ball and a signed softball bat.

In return, the Pakistani team presented Ambassador Bloom with the official cricket shirt of Pakistan, along with a signed bat.

The camaraderie continued as Ambassador Bloom joined the national team players in a friendly game of cricket, fostering bonds beyond borders.

Notably, the T20 Cricket World Cup will mark the first time that America hosts the prestigious tournament, with matches set to commence in June. Among the anticipated fixtures, the clash between Pakistan and the United States on June 6 has garnered significant attention, promising an exciting encounter on the cricket field.

Meanwhile, as part of the preparations for the World Cup, almost 25 Pakistan cricketers and 21 officials underwent biometrics at the US Embassy. While some players already possessed USA visas, others obtained them for the first time or renewed them for tournament participation.

During their visit to the US Embassy, the team members engaged in discussions with Ambassador Bloom regarding the significance of the forthcoming World Cup for both Pakistan and the United States.

The event also provided an opportunity for players to showcase their skills, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, and others delighting embassy employees with their bowling and batting prowess.

The reception concluded on a high note, with players and embassy staff exchanging pictures, selfies, and autographs, further strengthening the bonds of friendship and sportsmanship between Pakistan and the United States.