Mughal grandeur meets cricket

Pakistan hosts tri-nation series teams at Lahore Fort; PCB chief welcomes cricketers to a royal reception

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi hosted players, match officials and team management from Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka at a special reception at Lahore Fort, offering the visiting cricket delegations a taste of the city's Mughal heritage.

The event brought together cricket and culture at one of Lahore's most iconic historical landmarks, where the visiting teams were treated to a royal welcome, guided tours of historic sites, traditional performances and a dinner in their honour.

Naqvi welcomed the players and officials at the fort's Alamgiri Gate before accompanying the delegations on a tour of the historic complex. The guests also visited the nearby Badshahi Mosque, the mausoleum of poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Hazuri Bagh.

The visiting players explored several prominent sections of Lahore Fort, including Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, the Shish Mahal and the Barood Khana, while learning about the site's history and architectural significance. Guards dressed in traditional Mughal era attire welcomed guests at Diwan-e-Khas, adding to the royal atmosphere.

A traditional dhol performance drew enthusiastic applause from the foreign players, while rides on brightly decorated, colourful rickshaws proved another highlight of the evening.

Addressing the guests, Naqvi described the visiting teams as special guests of Pakistan and emphasised the country's peaceful environment and passion for cricket.

"Pakistan is a peaceful and safe country, and the Pakistani nation has a special love for the game of cricket," Naqvi said.

The reception concluded with a dinner hosted in honour of the foreign delegations.

Several visiting players praised the PCB for organising the event, describing it as memorable and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to experience Lahore's historic landmarks and cultural traditions.

The players said they were pleased to explore the city's heritage and would leave Lahore with fond memories. Match officials also expressed delight at the experience, describing the reception as an unforgettable occasion.

Diplomats from Sri Lanka, Punjab's chief secretary, former PCB chairmen Zaka Ashraf and Ramiz Raja, former cricketers, senior PCB officials, the Pakistan Super League's chief executive and other dignitaries attended the event.

The reception formed part of Pakistan's efforts to welcome the participating teams during the tri-nation series, using the country's rich cultural heritage to complement its cricketing hospitality.