ODI World Cup 2023: Pakistan team departs for India

Pakistan Team for World Cup. (Photo Source: @TheRealPCB)

The Pakistan cricket team embarked on their journey to India for the ICC World Cup 2023 on September 27. The travel group includes 18 players and 13 support staff members. Coach Morne Morkel will join the team in Dubai, while Mickey Arthur will join the squad in India.

The team is set to arrive in Hyderabad, India at 8:15 PM (local time) on September 27. Meanwhile, their first warm-up match will be against New Zealand on September 29, followed by their second and final warm-up match against Australia on October 3. Their first official World Cup match is against the Netherlands on October 6. 

Pakistan’s World Cup journey will span five venues, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, each hosting two matches. The grand event will culminate with a high-voltage encounter in Ahmedabad. 

The much-anticipated Pakistan-India clash is scheduled for October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the same stadium which will also host the opener between England and New Zealand on October 5.

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. The cricketing world now eagerly awaits their performance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, hoping for a revival of their championship form. 

PCB and Pakistani players took to their social media to update regarding their departure:

📸 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩-𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝 🇵🇰🌟#WeHaveWeWill #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/1IdK7MhhN5

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 26, 2023

Embarking on the World Cup quest 🧳#WeHaveWeWill