Malala represents Pakistan in World Cup opening ceremony

Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai represented Pakistan at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 opening cermeony on Wednesday.

The Pakistani activist attended the ceremony and donned the green Pakistan jersey to show her support for Sarfaraz Ahmed and his playing XI.

Malala and former Pakistan ODI skipper Azhar Ali also participated in the 60 Seconds Challenge–wherein they were required to bat for 60 seconds and score the maximum amount of runs they could.

Our very own #Malala represents Pakistan at #ICCCricketWorldCup2019 opening ceremony at Buckhingam Palace today, along with Azhar Ali. More power to you @Malala ? pic.twitter.com/ShbKG7qqKO

— Fazil Jamili (@faziljamili) May 29, 2019

Cheeky and spot on as always @Malala! How I love this girl??

“Pakistan we were ok, not too bad-came No 7 but India came last so I think for Pakistan that’s what….but India played really well”
?#WorldCup2019 #Pakistan #CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/BuP465pSSv

— Sehr Pirzada (@SehrPirzada) May 30, 2019

After the challenge was over, Malala was called on the stage to say a few words.

“Well, Pakistan finished at number seven but India came in last so…,” she said, and laughed out loud.

Malala’s remarks were received angrily on social media, as some Indians thought she shouldn’t have laughed at India’s dismal performance.

Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign against the West Indies on May 31. The green shirts are desperately looking for a win against the West Indies after 12 successive ODI defeats in their last outing.

Pakistan can take come comfort from the fact that the last major tournament held was won by Sarfaraz XI.

Pakistan trounced India by 180 runs in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 to bring home the cup, courtesy a blistering century from Fakhar Zaman and commendable bowling from Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali.