Pakistan Cricket team departs for India to participate in World Cup 2023

ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, the Pakistan team set off for India to partake in the eagerly anticipated ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The national team departed from Lahore airport at 3:20 am. The team will make a brief stopover in Dubai before catching a flight to Indian Hyderabad. They are scheduled to arrive in Hyderabad at 8:15 pm (local time) on September 27 (today).

Pakistan’s travel contingent comprises 18 players and 13-player support personnel. Bowling coach Morne Morkel and men’s cricket team director Mickey Arthur will join the team in Dubai and India, respectively.

The team will engage in a training session the next day. They will play their first warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29.

Moreover, before departing for India, the national team captain Babar Azam requested cricket fans for their prayers.

“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 X 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.

Pakistan Zindabad 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/ZiMJIfCBfd

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) September 27, 2023

On Monday, after a significant delay, India finally granted visas to the Pakistan team, putting an end to the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the highly anticipated tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to express their concerns about a visa delay that had disrupted the team’s preparation for the mega event across the border.

Pakistan will compete in two warm-up matches before kicking off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6.

In a highly anticipated match, arch-rivals India and Pakistan will compete on 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.