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Jason Gillespie, the red-ball coach for Pakistan, has extended an invitation to Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem to visit the national cricket team’s dressing room. Gillespie expressed that having Nadeem join the team would be a tremendous source of inspiration for the players.
Arshad Nadeem made history by winning the gold medal in javelin throw at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a record-breaking 92.97-meter throw. This achievement marked Pakistan’s first Olympic medal since 1992 and saw Nadeem surpass the reigning champion, Neeraj Chopra of India.
As Pakistan gears up for their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, the first Test will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium starting on August 21, followed by the second Test at the National Stadium in Karachi on August 30.
Would Love To Invite Arshad Nadeem – Jason Gillespie
In a recent discussion on the PCB podcast, Jason Gillespie lauded Arshad Nadeem for his outstanding achievement at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Gillespie mentioned that they have extended an invitation to Nadeem to visit the cricket team’s dressing room. He emphasized that Nadeem’s visit would serve as a significant morale boost for the Pakistan cricketers.
“We would love to invite Arshad Nadeem to the dressing room as well. I saw all the Shaheens cheering him on during the Olympics. Having him visit and share his gold medal with the team would be a fantastic boost, especially with the Olympic spirit still in the air. It was a wonderful moment, and we extend an open invitation for him to visit the dressing room,” Gillespie said.
Upon his return from the Paris Olympics on Saturday, August 10, Arshad Nadeem was met with a warm reception. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) played a crucial role in addressing his financial difficulties during his preparations. They provided substantial support by sponsoring his training and supplying essential equipment.
Arshad Nadeem Has Made Us All Emotional – Shan Masood
Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood remarked that Arshad Nadeem’s achievements serve as a significant source of inspiration for the cricket team. He highlighted that Nadeem’s success is a clear reflection of the talent present in Pakistan.
“Arshad Nadeem has made us all emotional. Seeing him on the podium waving the flag and ringing the Olympic bell was incredible. He deserves all the recognition he’s getting and is a national hero. His achievements highlight the talent in Pakistan, and we’re all proud of him.”
“Does it put pressure on the team? I don’t see it as pressure but as a privilege. Representing Pakistan is a huge honor, and every day we play is a privilege. We should feel extremely proud and grateful to represent our country. Arshad Nadeem’s success motivates us to seize our opportunity to do something good for Pakistan.”
Pakistan currently holds the fifth position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings, with a percentage of 36.66%. The team has faced three defeats out of five matches in the current cycle. Securing a victory in the upcoming series could boost Pakistan’s position in the points table.
