Pakistan Arrives in India for ODI World Cup Warm-Up Game

The team’s arrival in India marks a significant moment, as it is their first visit to the country in nearly a decade, with their last visit occurring during a bilateral series in 2012-13. Since then, Pakistan’s cricket landscape has undergone substantial changes, and the majority of the squad will be experiencing Indian conditions for the very first time, presenting a notable challenge.

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Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, and star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi greeted the media with smiles, displaying high spirits as they posed for photographs.

Addressing concerns about the lack of familiarity with Indian conditions, Babar Azam stated during a press conference in Pakistan, “All of us are proud of travelling for the World Cup. Although we have not played in India before, we are not taking too much pressure. We have done our research and we have heard the conditions are similar to how they play out in other Asian countries. It is quite an honour for me to travel as the captain this time around, I hope we come back with a trophy this time.”

Apart from the unfamiliar conditions, Pakistan will also miss the presence of their home crowd during tournament matches.

“Unfortunately, we will be missing the fans. However, as far as I know, the games are all sold out so we will be playing in jam-packed stadiums. Although our fans will not be there, I know they will make sure their love is heard on social media. I have heard that the fans in India also show their love, although I have not experienced that as of yet, but I am excited to play in India as well,” Babar added.

To kickstart their World Cup campaign, Pakistan will face the Netherlands on October 6 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Before that, they will play a warm-up match against New Zealand in Hyderabad on September 29, but the game will be held behind closed doors.

Pakistan’s World Cup squad includes Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Wasim.