Shoaib Akhtar, a former cricketer of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, thanked the Hyderabad crowd on Tuesday for supporting Pakistan’s cricket team during their match against Sri Lanka in the city.

“Thank you very much to Hyderabad crowd. I say, it looked like we are playing at home. Hyderabad, we love you, we love your food. What a great nation you are. What a great city, Hyderabad, you are,” Akhtar said after the match.

”Lots of love from my side to Hyderabad, which is very close to my heart. How can I not like something whose name includes Haider?” the former Pakistani cricketer further said.

“Thank you very much, India. Thank you very much, Hyderabad, for supporting Pakistan…The crowd was there to watch Pakistan, who says stadiums are empty,” he added.

A huge crowd was present, supporting the Islamic Republic of Pakistan cricket team. Notably, most of other non-Indian matches are witnessing empty stadiums.

Pakistan won the match by six wickets.