HYDERABAD: Pakistan’s cricket squad wasted no time diving into their rigorous training regimen as they embarked on their journey towards the ICC World Cup 2023 at the esteemed Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday.
This inaugural training session symbolized Pakistan’s initial steps onto Indian soil, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying tournament.
In a bid to prioritize safety and security, Pakistan’s first ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up clash against New Zealand, scheduled for Friday at the same venue, will be conducted behind closed doors.
The action doesn’t stop there. Pakistan is set to face Australia on October 3rd in their second warm-up fixture before officially launching their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6.
The Pakistan team arrived in India on a momentous Wednesday evening, ready to take on the challenge of the ICC World Cup 2023, which is slated to unfold from October 5 to November 19.
Under the watchful eye of tight security, the Pakistan contingent, comprised of 18 players and 13 support staff, made their way to the team hotel.
This journey from Lahore began in the early hours of Wednesday, involving a brief layover in Dubai before reaching their final destination in Hyderabad.
For those not in the know, the Pakistan cricket team, players, and officials faced delays in obtaining their Indian visas for the ICC World Cup 2023, sparking concerns within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In response, the PCB formally expressed its concerns to the International Cricket Council (ICC), citing the ongoing visa uncertainties and invoking the terms of the Host-Member agreement.
Here is the Squad for Pakistan’s squad in the ICC World Cup 2023:
Captain: Babar Azam
Squad Members: 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 match schedule includes:
- September 29: Pakistan vs. New Zealand in Hyderabad
- October 3: Pakistan vs. Australia in Hyderabad
Pakistan’s schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:
- October 6: Pakistan vs. Netherlands in Hyderabad
- October 10: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in Hyderabad
- October 14: Pakistan vs. India in Ahmedabad
- October 20: Pakistan vs. Australia in Bengaluru
- October 23: Pakistan vs. Afghanistan in Chennai
- October 27: Pakistan vs. South Africa in Chennai
- October 31: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh in Kolkata
- November 4: Pakistan vs. New Zealand in Bengaluru (Day match)
- November 11: Pakistan vs. England in Kolkata
The day matches are scheduled to begin at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, commencing at 01:30 pm (PST).