On Wednesday, the national cricket team embarked on their journey to India for the highly anticipated ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.
The team, famously known as the Green Shirts, initiated their journey at 3:20 am from Lahore airport. Their route included a brief layover in Dubai before proceeding to Hyderabad, India.
Scheduled to touch down in Hyderabad at 8:15 pm local time on September 27 (today), Pakistan's traveling contingent comprises 18 players and 13 support personnel.
Two key members of the team's coaching staff, Bowling Coach Morne Morkel and Men's Cricket Team Director Mickey Arthur, will be joining the squad in Dubai and India, respectively.
The team is set to participate in a training session on the following day and has their first warm-up match scheduled against New Zealand on September 29.
Before their departure, team captain Babar Azam requested the cricket fans for their prayers. He expressed his confidence in the unwavering support and love of the Pakistani cricket team's fans, saying, "As we head for the World Cup, we seek prayers of all the Pakistan cricket team fans and well-wishers. I am certain that you will continue to extend your support and love, which you have always done. Pakistan Zindabad," Babar wrote on his official social media handle.
As we head for the World Cup, we seek prayers of all the Pakistan cricket team fans and well-wishers. I am certain that you will continue to extend your support and love, which you have always done.
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) September 27, 2023
Pakistan Zindabad 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/ZiMJIfCBfd
After a prolonged delay, India eventually issued visas to the Pakistan team on Monday, ending the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan's participation in the highly anticipated tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the visa delay, which had disrupted the team's preparations for the mega event across the border.
Pakistan is set to play two warm-up matches before commencing their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6. The clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most awaited fixtures of the tournament, scheduled for October 14 in Ahmedabad.
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.
Schedule of Pakistan's warm-up matches:
- 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 commence at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30 pm (PST). If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata. If India qualifies for the semi-finals and faces Pakistan, the match will also be held in Kolkata; otherwise, it will be in Mumbai.
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