Istafa Ali
Pakistan men’s cricket team reached India Hyderabad on Wednesday to participate in ICC men’s World Cup 2023.
According to the initial plan Pakistan team had to reach India on Sunday. The late issuance of visa from Indian government postponed Pakistan team’s arrival to India. Pakistan will play two warm matches against New Zealand and Australia respectively before going into the World Cup.
Pakistan team, consisting of 18 players and 13 player- support staff will be commuted through out India under tight security.
From Lahore green shirts took flight, after a brief layover in Dubai the team reached India on Wednesday evening. Pakistan will play their first warm-up match behind closed doors because of security concerns. The match will be played on Friday against New Zealand.
Pakistan will then play their second warm-up match against Australia on October 3rd before kicking off their World Cup campaign on October 6th against Netherlands.
All the players and officials of Pakistan cricket, who were supposed to reach India early got delayed, because of late visa issuance. Pakistan had to cancel a team workshop in Dubai. Pakistan had to cut down their stay in Dubai for a few hours from a stay of 2 days.
Earlier Pakistan Cricket Board contacted International Cricket Council, showing their concerns on issuance of visa. Pakistan got delayed visas and Pakistan team will also play their first warm-up match behind closed doors. Because of late arrival Pakistan team will get lesser time to practice and adjusting into Indian conditions and pitches.
Following is Pakistani squad for World Cup and fixtures for World Cup.
Pakistan beat India for Fifth spot in Asian Games
Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.
Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan
Pakistan’s warm-up matches schedule:
- September 29 — vs New Zealand in Hyderabad
- October 3 — vs Australia in Hyderabad
Pakistan’s schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:
- October 6 – vs Netherlands in Hyderabad
- October 10 – vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad
- October 14 – vs India in Ahmedabad
- October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru
- October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
- October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
- October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
- November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
- November 11 – vs England in Kolkata
The day matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).
