Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has expressed his gratitude for the warmth and friendliness of the Pakistani people during their tours, stating that the affection he experienced there brought him to tears.
Sehwag Recalls Experiences in Pakistan: India’s longtime rivals launched a challenging yet fascinating five-match ODI series and a three-match Test series in 2003 when the country resumed ODI and Test cricket after a 17-year break. With victories in the ODI and Test series, the visiting Indian squad displayed their strength.
In a recent interview, the fiery opening batter recalled an incident from the 2004 tour: “When we played Pakistan, our second Test was in Lahore. About 30 to 35 outfits were purchased for my female relatives. When I tried to pay him, the merchant refused to take my money, stating, “You are our guest; how can we charge you?”
Sehwag continued by describing how they received overwhelming affection everywhere they went in Pakistan during their 2003–2004 tour, which was their first in 17 years. When they revealed they were from Delhi, the locals were curious about their country. They would often ask about specific neighborhoods or sites while sharing recollections of relatives who had formerly lived there.
Sehwag claimed that reading these people’s stories would make them cry because they would touch their hearts. He expressed that the experience was poignant yet joyful, as it felt like long-lost siblings reunited.