As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, there are several exciting developments and updates surrounding the Pakistan cricket team. Scheduled to kick off on October 6, the quadrennial tournament promises to be a spectacle for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
One of the latest updates is regarding the warm-up match between New Zealand and Pakistan, slated for September 29. This highly anticipated clash will be played behind closed doors, a decision influenced by the advice of local security agencies.
The reason behind this precaution is the coinciding festivals on the same day, which are expected to draw large crowds around the city. However, cricket enthusiasts who had purchased tickets need not worry, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has assured them of full refunds.
In terms of visa arrangements, Pakistan and Afghanistan cricket teams have successfully obtained their visas for travel to India for the marquee event. Pakistani players and support staff are set to receive their visas on Tuesday, ensuring their participation in the tournament.
To accommodate the visa processing timeline, Pakistan had to abandon their initial plans for a team-bonding camp in Dubai and will now head directly to India.
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Before their official World Cup campaign begins, Pakistan will engage in two warm-up matches. The first, against New Zealand in Hyderabad on September 29, and the second, against Australia on October 3, at the same venue. Their opening World Cup match is scheduled against the Netherlands on October 6.
However, the clash that the cricketing world eagerly anticipates is the Pakistan-India encounter, slated for October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This iconic stadium will also host the World Cup opener between England and New Zealand on October 5, setting the stage for an exhilarating tournament.
Pakistan’s World Cup journey will take them to five venues, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, each hosting two matches. The grand event will culminate in a high-voltage encounter in Ahmedabad. While Pakistan entered the Asia Cup as the No. 1-ranked ODI team, they faced an unexpected exit in the Super 4s stage following defeats to India and Sri Lanka.
As a result, the cricketing world is eager to see Pakistan’s performance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and hopes for a revival of their championship form.