The Pakistan cricket squad took off for India in the wee hours ofMen’sesday for the much-anticipated ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Pakistan cricket squad departed from Lahore airport at 3.20 a.m. The team will touch down in Dubai for a brief layover before heading to Hyderabad, India, set to land at 8:15 pm local time on September 27.
The squad travelling comprises 18 top-tier cricketers, bolstered by a 13-member support crew. While in transit, bowling coach Morne Morkel will rendezvous with the team in Dubai, and men’s cricket team director Mickey Arthur is slated to join them in India.
No time will be wasted as the team begins training the next day. They’re all prepped to square off against New Zealand in a warm-up match on September 29.
As they embark on this prestigious journey, team captain Babar Azam took a moment to rally the support of cricket enthusiasts, penning down a heartfelt message on his X profile. He implored fans for their continued prayers and encouragement, exclaiming, “Pakistan Zindabad!”
After a spell of suspense due to visa delays, India gave the green light to the Pakistani squad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had voiced their concerns to the ICC, underlining the impact of these delays on the team’s readiness.
Eyeing the Trophy: Match Line-up
Pakistan’s World Cup journey starts against the Netherlands on October 6. However, all eyes will be on the October 14 face-off with arch-rivals India in Ahmedabad.
Pakistan’s World Cup Squad: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, and others. Travelling reserves include Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, and Zaman Khan.
Upcoming Matches:
- Warm-up: September 29 vs. New Zealand; October 3 vs. Australia
- World Cup: Matches against teams like the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, India, and more.
Match Timings: Day matches will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time (PST), while day-night games begin at 01:30 p.m. (PST).
The Semi-finals Equation: They’ll showcase their skills in Kolkata should Pakistan secure a semi-finals berth. However, if India also reaches the semi-finals and the two neighbours clash, the match will be in Mumbai, else Kolkata remains the venue for India.
