Naqvi Lahore Fort reception welcomed the players and officials of the tri-nation ODI series as royal guests on Wednesday, as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi hosted a special evening at the historic Lahore Fort. Squads from Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka attended, along with coaches, managers and match officials.
Naqvi greeted the teams at the Alamgiri Gate, the fort’s grand entrance, and the guests were then taken on a tour of the site and its surroundings. The itinerary included the Badshahi Mosque, the Tomb of Allama Iqbal and Hazuri Bagh, before the party moved inside the fort itself.
The foreign players and officials showed keen interest in the history of the fort, the PCB said, and enjoyed a ride on a colourful rickshaw. A performance by the Dholi Chi group added to the evening, earning warm applause from the visiting players.
Naqvi Lahore Fort reception: a royal welcome
At Diwan-e-Khas, the hall of private audience, guards dressed in Mughal-era attire welcomed the guests. The tour also took in Diwan-e-Aam, Barood Khana and Sheesh Mahal, where the visitors were briefed on the history of the fort and its place in Lahore’s past.
“You are all our special guests. Pakistan is a peaceful and safe country, and the Pakistani nation has a special passion for cricket,” Naqvi told the foreign guests, according to the PCB account of the evening.
A dinner was also arranged in honour of the visiting teams. Sri Lanka and England players thanked the PCB for organising the reception, describing it as a memorable occasion. They said they were delighted to visit the historical landmarks and would leave Lahore with pleasant memories.
Match officials expressed similar appreciation, saying they had thoroughly enjoyed the event and had experienced an unforgettable reception for the first time.
The tour was also attended by Sri Lankan diplomats, the Punjab Chief Secretary, former PCB chairmen Zaka Ashraf and Ramiz Raja, former cricketers, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed, Pakistan Super League Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer and other senior officials.
Why the fort matters for a cricket welcome
Lahore Fort is one of the city’s best-known landmarks, and the choice of venue gave the reception a distinctly local character. The fort’s courtyards, audience halls and mirrored palace offered the visiting squads a short tour of Mughal Lahore between matches, rather than a standard hotel function.
For the PCB, the evening also served a practical purpose. The tri-series has kept all three squads in Lahore, and the reception brought players, coaches and officials together away from the ground at a relaxed moment in the schedule. Team news during the series has included Pakistan batting coach Mike Smith backing Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, while Haris Rauf was reprimanded and England fined after the Lahore ODI.
Pakistan’s own preparations have drawn attention too, with Shaheen Shah Afridi insisting the side must forget the Sri Lanka defeat and focus on the tri-series final. The reception, held before that final, gave the hosts a chance to present Lahore at its most welcoming.
The PCB has made a habit of pairing cricket with the city’s heritage, and Wednesday’s event followed that pattern. The guests arrived as cricketers and left, by the PCB’s account, as admirers of the fort, its architecture and its history.
What happens next
The squads now return to match business, with the tri-series final ahead. Off the field, the PCB’s attention also turns to the longer calendar, including the PSL 12 workshop that will discuss auction rules and direct signings.
For the visiting players, the memory of the evening may last longer than the result. They arrived through the Alamgiri Gate as guests, toured the mosque, the tomb and the fort’s great halls, and left with the PCB’s message ringing in their ears: Pakistan is peaceful, Pakistan is safe, and its people love cricket.
Frequently asked questions
Who hosted the Lahore Fort reception?
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi hosted the reception for the players and officials of the tri-nation ODI series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka.
Where did the guests go during the evening?
They were welcomed at the Alamgiri Gate, then toured the Badshahi Mosque, the Tomb of Allama Iqbal and Hazuri Bagh, followed by Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam, Barood Khana and Sheesh Mahal inside the fort.
