Paris Olympics 2024: Pakistan cricketers wish Arshad Nadeem good luck against Neeraj Chopra in javelin final

Be it cricket or the sports spectacle in the Olympic Games, an India vs Pakistan contest is sure to be a blockbuster. On Thursday (August 8), two fierce competitors from across the border – India’s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem will be in action in the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris Games 2024. 

The Pakistan cricket team members, including Test skipper Shan Masood and star batter Babar Azam, are among the ones sending best wishes to Arshad for his gold medal event. 

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While Chopra will enter the contest as the reigning Olympic and World champion, Nadeem is on the cusp of breaking the Olympic medal jinx for his country, which last won a medal at the Summer Games in 1992. Ironically, 1992 is the same year when Pakistan last won a cricket world cup in Australia. 

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a special video of their cricketers sending best wishes to Nadeem, who takes on the gold medal contender and off-field friend Neeraj.

“First of all, Arshad Nadeem, congratulations on qualifying for the final,” Pakistan's Test captain Shan Masood said. 

“Our best wishes and prayers are with you. We are eagerly waiting and hope that you will win a medal for Pakistan. Whatever you have done and achieved for Pakistan cannot be described in words." 

“You are a role model, and we hope that on August 8, you will be on the podium. All the best, brother,” Masood added.

Besides Masood, the others wishing Nadeem the best of luck are Babar, star seamers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and former cricketer Umar Gul.

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Race to the top

Neeraj and Nadeem were exceptional in their efforts during the qualification round at the Paris Games 2024. 

While India’s Neeraj stood first, with his only throw going 89.34m distance in first attempt, breaching the qualifying mark of 84m, Nadeem’s best throw was 86.59m, also in his first attempt. 

Three years ago, at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, Neeraj won the gold medal with his throw of 87.58m, while Nadeem stood fifth with his best throw of 84.62m.

(With inputs from agencies)