At least we were not last like India: Malala Yousafzai's dig at friendly match ahead of Cricket World Cup

WION Web Team

New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: May 30, 2019, 02:11 PM IST

Nobel peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai plays a shot. Photograph:(Twitter)

Story highlights

A unique 60-second challenge was played in which all teams were given one minute to score the maximum runs, Pakistan came seventh and India came last

On the eve of Cricket World Cup 2019, all captains of the participating nations paid a visit to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry at the Buckingham Palace in London.

The twelfth edition of World Cup, hosted by England and Wales, is scheduled to take place from May 30 to July 14.

Just after the visit, the opening ceremony held at the London Mall next to the Buckingham Palace in the presence of many cricketing legends like Viv Richards, Anil Kumble and Jacques Kallis.

During the event, a unique 60-second challenge was played in which all teams were given one minute to score the maximum runs.

Pakistan was represented by the Nobel peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai along with former cricketer Azhar Ali.

While Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar and World Cup-winner Anil Kumble represented Team India.

England came out as the winners as they scored 74 in one minute whereas India finished at the bottom as they scored just 19.

After the game, Malala took a dig at India's performance, she said, "Pakistan, we were okay, not too bad. We came seventh. But at least we were not last like India."

"India played really well, they tried their best and we appreciate their hardwork," said the advocate of girl's education.

Watch the video:

Malala, Farhan Akhtar, KP, Brett Lee, Anil Kumble, the World Cup song. The #CWC19 opening party was... well, a big party! pic.twitter.com/E9sT0GIPUB
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 30, 2019

Although, her light-hearted comments were not taken sportingly and one of the Twitter users even said that the comment displayed "hate towards India".

Yousafzai further added the importance of women taking up cricket sports and urged that women must engage more in all types of sports.

"Right now were are seeing more and more women taking part in sporting activities," Yousafzai said.

"In Pakistan, we have some amazing cricketers, including Sana Mir. These role models are inspiring women to believe in themselves that they are capable of anything. Women should engage more in sports and we all have to contribute to that and encourage women and girls," she added.

Watch: Queen and Harry joke with world cricket captains

England takes on South Africa in the opening match of the World cup at the Oval in London.