A group of madrassa students and teachers in Islamabad say they were misled into coming to Islamabad International Airport on December 21/22, 2025.
They were reportedly contacted by someone claiming to be the SHO (station house officer) of Karachi Company Police Station, who told them that the Imam of the Kaaba (Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais) was arriving in Pakistan and asked them to come and participate in a religious reception.
The students and teachers believed this was a religious event, expecting to recite prayers and be part of a sacred welcome. đ What They Found Instead When they arrived, they discovered that the real event was the welcome ceremony for the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team, who had just returned from winning the ACC Menâs U19 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Many were upset and confused, saying they had no idea it was a cricket event and had come under false pretences. đŁ Reactions From Students Students said the incident wasted their time and interfered with their religious duties, such as leading morning prayers. One student criticised the situation, saying that while they support the national team, they should not have been brought under false pretences. Footage circulating on social media shows students openly expressing their disappointment at the airport.
Reports link the invitation to local police and suggest the crowd was assembled to bolster the appearance of support for the cricket team. However, there has been no official statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirming that the PCB itself directly orchestrated the misleading invite. The allegation is based on accounts from the students and circulating media content.
đ° Broader Context The incident sparked discussion online about public reactions to cricket in Pakistan, especially given the recent U-19 Asia Cup win. Some media suggest this reflects both pride in the team and frustration with how public events are managed. #MadrisaStudent #PCB #u19asiacup
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