At Eden Gardens, as Fakhar Zaman unleashed a barrage of sixes, the prevailing question was,

“When will Babar Azam come to bat?”

The fact that the opener was racking up runs and Pakistan were poised to break their World Cup 2023 losing streak didn’t deter the crowd. It didn’t matter that India wasn’t in the match, or that there was equal support for Bangladesh. Kolkata has opened its arms to Pakistan, providing the Men in Green with the support they longed for amidst a challenging World Cup campaign and turmoil within the PCB back home.

The DJ played ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ in full throttle, ‘Pakistan jeetega’ chants echoed throughout the stadium, and each glimpse of Babar on the big screen ignited the crowd. Even fans donning India jerseys showed their support. After the match, when a smile finally returned to Babar’s face, the thunderous reaction was reminiscent of the adoration he receives in Karachi or Lahore. Eden Gardens was alive with over 35,000 fans in attendance even before sunset. People had gathered from nearby areas like Khidirpur, Park Circus, Mominpur, and Metiabruz to rally behind the Pakistan team.

Despite Kolkata’s connections with Bangladesh and a clash between the two neighboring countries shortly after the Durja Pujo festival, Pakistan emerged as the clear fan favorites. The decibel levels escalated when Shaheen took Mahmudullah’s wicket for the third time, when Fakhar and Abdullah Shafique both reached their fifties, when Babar stepped onto the field, and, ultimately, when the winning runs were scored. It brought back memories of the 2016 World T20, where a similar sight unfolded during a Pakistan-Bangladesh match.

‘We’ve been supporting the Pakistan team for a very long time. We know that when the Pakistan team goes down, it rises with the same speed.

“From now on, I’m hoping they will win the remaining two games and qualify for the top four,”

said a fan named Kazi Mohsin after Pakistan’s 7-wicket victory over Bangladesh.

Upon their arrival in Kolkata three days earlier, the Pakistan team was welcomed by a sea of people at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. Haris and Shaheen chants filled the air as the players made their way out one by one. Yet the cheers for Babar were as loud as the ones Sourav Ganguly received during his playing days in the city. The players were inundated with selfie requests after their practice sessions, and their enthusiasm for this unique experience was evident.

This shared affection likely helped them relax. The players chose to skip dinner at the team hotel and opted for a taste of Kolkata’s renowned biryani, placing their order through Zomato on a Sunday evening. Pakistan’s dietary habits have faced criticism, including comments from notable figures like Wasim Akram. Adding to the disappointment was the recent revelation by former captain Rashid Latif, who publicly disclosed information about players going unpaid and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seemingly neglecting Babar.

These revelations can be demoralizing, even for the most resilient individuals. However, it’s not the first time former players have had public outbursts; similar incidents occurred during the 2019 World Cup and in nearly every tournament or series where Pakistan fell short of expectations. Undoubtedly, this team has faced challenges, but the barrage of disparaging comments questioning their commitment and attitude seems unbecoming of those who once walked in their shoes.

Amidst the outrage, Kolkata’s hospitality was what Babar and his team sought from their fans and board. Instead, they encountered criticism, jeers, and turmoil within the board. The saga surrounding Babar’s leaked chat, the circumstances leading to it, and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s resignation as chief selector amidst an investigation and Pakistan’s four consecutive losses were the last things Pakistan needed after their semifinal hopes were dashed.

Eden Gardens has a rich history with Pakistan, witnessing memorable matches and controversies. From Shoaib Akhtar’s thunderbolts to infamous incidents like Tendulkar’s run-out, the ground has seen it all. If Hyderabad were Pakistan’s home ground in this World Cup, Kolkata would prove to be their home away from home.