Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar was present in the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, during the fifth T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand where he presented the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy to the fans.
The trophy reached Pakistan on Wednesday night and was on display in front of the National Assembly on Thursday.
Akhtar, who represented Pakistan in 224 international matches, posed with the trophy in front of the fans while the Green Shirts and the Kiwis were taking on one another in the final T20I.
Remember, the elusive trophy will visit a total of 15 countries across four continents where it will be graced by legendarycricketersin some of the best stadiums in the world.
Apart from renownedcricketingnations, the trophy will also visit emerging countries like Brazil, Argentina, Canada and others so that people can connect with the sport and raise their interest in it.
Pakistan is in Group A with arch-rivals India and the two sides will take on one another in one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
Group A:India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, United States
Group B:England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman
Group C:New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea
Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal
It is worth mentioning that 20 qualifying teams are divided into four groups of five, from which the top two teams of every group will make their way to the Super 8 round.
In that stage, qualifying teams will once again be divided into two groups of four, from which the top two teams will make their way to the semi-final and then the winners will play the final.
This will be the first time since 2010 that a T20 World Cup, which was won by England, will be hosted in the West Indies.
On the other hand, this is the first time an event as big as the World Cup will be hosted by the US.
England are the defending champions after clinching the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, beating Pakistan in the final.