Pakistan team to be invited as royal guests for Hajj 2025 after T20 WC win, announces Saudi envoy

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Sunday announced that the Pakistan cricket team would be invited as royal guests for Hajj 2025 if they win the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 

Pakistan’s national cricket squad arrived in Dallas on Saturday night to take part in the T20 World Cup 2024. Skipper Babar Azam’s side will open their World Cup campaign on June 6 against the United States.

The 2009 world champions will face India, Ireland and Canada in subsequent Group A matches of the World Cup. The cricket megaevent is being co-hosted by the United States and West Indies from June 2-29 and features 20 teams in total. 

In a video message shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Malki wished the Pakistan team luck as the tournament kicked off on June 2. 

“Next year when they win the World Cup, god willing, they [Pakistan cricket team] will be the royal guests for Hajj,” Malki said. “I pray for Pakistan and its success and prosperity.”

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have sought to strengthen their ties in cricket in recent years as the sport grows increasingly popular in the Kingdom.