He announced all members of Pakistan team would be royal guests for next year’s Haj if they win the Cup       Pakistan team players celebrate during a T20I match against New Zealand in this image released on April 20, 2024. — X/@TheRealPCB

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki has predicted Pakistan cricket team would be victorious in the T20 World Cup being played in the US and West Indies.

He announced all members of Pakistan team would be royal guests for next year’s Haj if they win the Cup.

In a message on social media platform, the Saudi envoy expressed the hope people of Pakistan will celebrate the victory of their team.

Ambassador Nawaf maintained he was praying for prosperity and wellbeing of the people of Pakistan.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had a meeting with Saudi ambassador ten days ago before his departure for the United Kingdom where he joined the Pakistan cricket team which was on its way to the US for T20 World Cup.

Cricket is attaining popularity in Saudi Arabia which has some 60 grounds of international standard. The legal status to organise cricket was obtained in 2001 under the Royal patronage of Princess Ghada bint Homoud bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. Under Jeddah based national cricket outfit, Saudi Arabia became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council in 2003.