Tag: ICC World Cup 2023

AHMEDABAD: The most anticipated PAK vs IND clash of the ICC World Cup 2023 between two fierce rivals Pakistan and India will kick off with a star-studded glittering ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on October 14.

According to the BCCI, renowned celebrities Arijit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Shankar Mahadevan will be performing in the show.
Cricket fever has gripped Ahmedabad ahead of Saturday’s World Cup 2023 group-stage PAK vs IND clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan head into the showdown having both won their opening two matches at the tournament.

The first batch of tickets for the PAK vs IND clash were sold out within an hour of going on sale in August, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release another 14,000 earlier this month

The 134,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium, which hosted former US President Donald Trump in 2020 and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this year, looks like a perfect arena for the PAK vs IND clash.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

The city has been declared a ‘no-drone zone’ on Saturday, and 11,000 security personnel will be deployed for the high-profile match, Ahmedabad police commissioner GS Malik said.

This will be the 8th meeting between the two arch-rivals in World Cup history. India have a perfect 7-0 record against Pakistan at ODI World Cups and while the rivalry assumes the Orwellian concept of serious sport — “war minus the shooting” — players from both sides share good relations.

During the Sri Lanka leg of the Asia Cup last month, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi gave Jasprit Bumrah a gift for the Indian’s newborn baby and the video went viral.

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.

India’s Squad for ICC World Cup 2023

 Rohit Sharma (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.

READ: Shubman Gill named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for September 2023

CHENNAI: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to field first against Bangladesh in the eleventh match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium.

PLAYING XIs

Bangladesh

Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

New Zealand

Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 41, New Zealand 30, Bangladesh 10, NR 1

ODI World Cup: Matches 5, New Zealand 5, Bangladesh 0

READ: Brazil held by Venezuela as Argentina stays 100 percent in World Cup qualifiers

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan meet in a blockbuster PAK vs IND clash at the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 14 October.

AFP Sport takes a look at four key battles that could decide the eagerly-awaited contest at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

Rohit v Shaheen

India skipper Rohit Sharma has struggled against Shaheen Shah Afridi’s left-arm pace in the few outings the two teams have had in recent times.

Shaheen rattled Rohit’s off stump in their first Asia Cup match in Pallekele last month when the opener’s lack of footwork saw him bowled for 11.

The duel began at the T20 World Cup in 2021 when Shaheen trapped Rohit lbw for a duck in the first over in Dubai with his pace and swing.

But Rohit came back prepared when the rivals next met in Colombo and remained cautious against the quick despite hitting a six off his first over.

Kohli v Rauf

The stakes were high when Virat Kohli came up against Haris Rauf in a challenging chase at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne last year.

India needed 31 off the last 18 balls while chasing 160 when Kohli held his nerve to smash Rauf for two sixes to bring the house down at a packed MCG.

The first was a length ball which Kohli dispatched straight down the ground and he flicked the next to over fine-leg en route to victory.

Kohli later said the sixes were “instinctive”, but it began a great battle with the Pakistan quick which awaits another showdown in Ahmedabad.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Azam v Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah experienced the Pakistan captain’s ability at the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Azam took on the Indian attack including Bumrah, a yorker king, with ease as he and Mohammad Rizwan steered the team to a 10-wicket victory in Dubai.

But two years later Bumrah and company seemed to have learnt their lessons when they bowled out Pakistan for 128 in a crushing 228-run win in an Asia Cup Super Four clash.

Bumrah beat the bat of Azam on a few occasions in Colombo before Hardik Pandya got the prized wicket.

Iftikhar v Kuldeep

Iftikhar Ahmed is a middle-order batsman who can play anchor or go after the bowling with equal ease but at the Asia Cup last month, India spinner Kuldeep Yadav cut short the batsman’s knock, taking a smart catch off his own bowling.

Kuldeep, a left-arm wrist spinner, claimed 5-25 in that game as India claimed a 228-run win.

Iftikhar’s task on Saturday will be to tackle the spinners in the middle overs and also accelerate the scoring.

READ: Zaka Ashraf departs for India to watch PAK vs IND clash

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf left for India to witness Pakistan’s high-octane ICC World Cup 2023 fixture against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 14 October.

According to the details, the PCB chair took off from Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Thursday evening and will reach Ahmedabad via Dubai.

During his stay in India, Zaka Ashraf will meet the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the government officials to propose the restoration of cricketing ties between the two countries.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

For the unversed, Zaka Ashraf made the decision to travel to India after it was confirmed that the media personnel were given the go-ahead to submit their passports for an Indian visa to cover the ICC World Cup 2023.

“I have delayed my travel to India, and I am travelling tomorrow after receiving confirmation that Pakistan’s journalists have been asked to submit their passports to obtain visas to cover the mega event.

“I am happy that my conversation with the foreign office helped in achieving a positive development regarding the visa delay.

“I am extremely pleased with the way the players have performed so far in the World Cup, winning both matches. The PCB management committee and the entire nation stand firmly behind the players for a successful campaign in the ongoing World Cup.

“I am travelling to India to motivate the team, and my message to them before the India contest will be to play fearlessly as they have been playing throughout the event.”

Acknowledging Zaka Ashraf’s decision to travel to India, BCCI Honorary Secretary, Jay Shah, extended a warm welcome to the PCB head.

The two counterparts had a telephonic conversation, where Shah expressed his delight to have Zaka Ashraf in India. Shah further extended his hospitality by offering to facilitate him by arranging his meetings with other high-ranking officials during his stay in India.

READ: Ton-up de Kock powers South Africa to 311 against Australia

LUCKNOW: Quinton de Kock scored his second consecutive century before a combined bowling effort led South Africa to thrash Australia by 134 runs in the 10th match of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Chasing a massive 312-run total, Australia succumbed to their second consecutive defeat in the ongoing mega event after they were bundled out on a paltry 177 in the 41st over.

The five-time champions had a poor start to the pursuit as they lost both their openers Mitchell Marsh (7) and David Warner (13) with just 27 runs on the board.

Marnus Labuschagne joined experienced Steve Smith in the middle and looked to anchor the run chase with a cautious partnership.

The duo, however, could add just 23 runs to the total before Smith perished after being trapped lbw by Kagiso Rabada, a decision which caused a debate among cricket fans.

Smith could score 19 off 16 deliveries before walking back to the pavilion in disbelief.

Australia then lost three more wickets in quick succession to further slip to 70/6 in the 17th over.

Following the slump, Labucshagne put on a fighting seventh-wicket partnership with Mitchell Starc and added 74 runs to the total.

The duo frustrated the ruthless South African bowling attack before Marco Jansen drew a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Starc, who scored a gutsy 51-ball 27.

Marnus Labuschagne soon followed Starc back into the dugout in the next over.

He remained the top-scorer for Australia with 46 in 74 deliveries, hitting three boundaries.

Australian captain Pat Cummins scored a 21-ball 22 at the backend but could not save his side from succumbing to a massive defeat.

Kagiso Rabada led the bowling attack for South Africa with 3/33, followed by Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi, who picked two each.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

De Kock carried the momentum from South Africa’s crushing 102-run victory over Sri Lanka in their ICC World Cup 2023 opener, where he scored an 84-ball century.

After being put into bat by Australia, De Kock raised his half-century in 51 balls, while his opening partner Temba Bavuma (35) played an anchoring innings on the other end.

Together they put up a 108-run opening stand, which was broken by Glenn Maxwell when Bavuma in an attempt to shift gears caught by David Warner at deep mid-wicket.

Rassie van der Dussen joined de Kock and added 50 runs for the second wicket before Zampa got him out at a total of 158 in the 29th over.

De Kock on the other end continued to bat fluently and reached his 19th ODI hundred in 90 balls, but Maxwell struck again and bowled the left-hander on 109. His 106-ball knock featured eight boundaries and five sixes.

Following de Kock’s departure, Aiden Markram took control and added 60 runs with Heinrich Klaasen for the fourth wicket, completing his half-century in the process.

He was dismissed by Pat Cummins after scoring 44-ball 56, featuring seven boundaries and one six.

Klaasen could only manage 29 off 27 before Marco Jansen propelled the South African total to 311 with a 22-ball cameo of 26 runs.

Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc picked two wickets each, while Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa managed to take one apiece.

READ: Pat Cummins sees ICC World Cup 2023 as ‘physically taxing’ for bowlers

LUCKNOW: Australia have won the toss and elected to field first against South Africa in the tenth match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at BRSABV Ekana cricket stadium.

PLAYING XIs

South Africa

Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Australia

David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 108, Australia 50, South Africa 54, Tied 3, NR 1

ODI World Cup: Matches 6, Australia 3, South Africa 2, Tied 1

READ: Pat Cummins sees ICC World Cup 2023 as ‘physically taxing’ for bowlers

Australia captain Pat Cummins described the ICC World Cup 2023 as the “most physically taxing” format for fast bowlers as batters piled up record scores around India.

With just six of 45 days ticked off, the 2023 tournament has already seen South Africa score the highest-ever World Cup total of 428.

That came against Sri Lanka in New Delhi where the two innings produced a tournament record 754 runs.

Aiden Markram clubbed the fastest World Cup century in 49 balls in that game while, on Tuesday, Pakistan chased down a record target of 345 to beat Sri Lanka.

In a further bout of misery for bowlers, 10 centuries have been scored over the first eight games.

“It’s actually quite a physical format, I find it probably the most physically taxing if you’re playing two or three games in a week,” said Cummins ahead of their second World Cup match against South Africa on Thursday.

“We’re doing 15kms in a 50-over match. I think in T20, if you bowl one really good over, that can be match-winning.

“In one-day cricket, that’s not normally the case. And it’s rare that the conditions are really in the bowler’s favour, which is fine. It’s just a challenge you’ve got to try and deal with.”

Sri Lankan bowlers have supplied a snapshot of the challenge described by Pat Cummins.

In their loss to South Africa, seamers Kasun Rajitha and Matheesha Pathirana conceded 185 runs between them.

Pathirana suffered again as Pakistan ran riot in Hyderabad on Tuesday, giving away another 90 runs in his 10 overs.

Five-time champions Australia suffered a six-wicket loss to India in their ICC World Cup 2023 opener, ironically in a rare low-scoring encounter at Chennai.

After bowling the Aussies out for just 199, India reached their target inside 42 overs with Virat Kohli surviving a dropped chance on 12 to make a match-winning 85.

Cummins went wicketless in that match and took just two wickets in two ODIs Australia played against India in the run-up to the tournament.

“I’m really happy where it is,” he said of his form in ODI cricket where he has 126 wickets at an average of just over 28.

“I feel like it’s in as good a place as it ever has been. I think early in my career, I found it a hard balance between Test cricket and T20, like getting too funky.

“I always find with one-day cricket; your roles can be very different. It’s a different kind of challenge to the other formats.”

Pat Cummins said his team will be ready for familiar foes South Africa.

The Proteas won a recent series between the two teams 3-2 after trailing 0-2.

“It always feels like it’s a clash of two very similar teams,” said Cummins.

“So yeah, no doubt it will be another great game tomorrow. We always match up quite similarly against them.”

Unlike Australia’s struggles in their ICC World Cup 2023 opener, South Africa had three centurions — Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Markram — firing against Sri Lanka.

“They’ve always got some fast bowlers and some batters that take the game on, maybe a leg-spinner. So, it always feels like it’s a clash of two very similar teams,” said Cummins.

Cummins said allrounder Marcus Stoinis was fit and available after missing the first match with a hamstring injury.

“He’s fit so yeah, we’ll announce a team tomorrow but it’s a ground he knows pretty well,” said Pat Cummins of Stoinis who plays for the Lucknow team in the Indian Premier League.

“I think chatting to him and a couple of other guys, it’s probably in a bit of a different condition to what it is for the IPL. The wicket looks really good.”

Australia will, however, continue to be without opener Travis Head, nursing a hand injury.

READ: Bumrah four-fer restricts Afghanistan to 272

DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah returned with figures of 4-39 before Rohit Sharma scored a quickfire century and lifted India to a thumping eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their second ICC World Cup 2023 match.

Chasing 273, India comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just two wickets and 90 balls to spare.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan gave the hosts a flying start with an impeccable 156-run partnership.

Sharma dominated the opening stand by thrashing the Afghan bowlers and soon brought up his century in just 63 balls.

Afghanistan then finally found a moment to cherish in the 19th over when their star spinner Rashid Khan got rid of Ishan Kishan, who scored a run-a-ball 47 with the help of five boundaries and two sixes.

Sharma was then joined by Virat Kohli at the crease and the two veterans added 49 runs to the total together before Rashid struck again to dismiss the Indian captain.

Rohit Sharma remained the top-scorer for India with 131 in 84 balls, laced up with 16 boundaries and five sixes.

Kohli took charge of India’s pursuit after Rohit’s dismissal and comfortably led India over the line in just 35 overs, courtesy of an unbeaten half-century.

He scored 55 in 56 deliveries, hitting six boundaries.

For Afghanistan, only Rashid Khan picked two wickets while the rest went wicketless.

Bumrah provided India their first breakthrough in the seventh over at a total of 32 after Afghanistan opted to bat first.

Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah helped Afghanistan to reach 63 with a brief 31-run stand before both batters fell within three deliveries.

With two new batters on the crease, India appeared to be in a dominant position however, Afghanistan batters counter-attacked to pull their team out of trouble.

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai responded with a solid 121-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with batters reaching half-centuries.

Hardik Pandya broke the stand when he bowled Omarzai at the score of 184-4. Omarzai scored 62 off 69 with the help of two boundaries and four sixes.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Shahidi stood his ground and was involved in a 41 partnership with Mohammad Nabi before Kuldeep Yadav trapped him in front of the stumps.

Shahidi top-scored for Afghanistan with an anchoring 82 off 88, featuring eight boundaries and one six.

Jasprit Bumrah then returned to attack to dismiss Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran in the same over, reducing Afghanistan to 235-7.

However, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman added valuable 26 runs for the eighth wicket before the former became Bumrah’s fourth victim in the penultimate over.

Other than Bumrah, Hardik Pandya picked two wickets while Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav picked one wicket each.

READ: ICC World Cup 2023: Zaka Ashraf to travel to India tomorrow

HYDERABAD: Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan dedicated his match-winning century against Sri Lanka in the eighth match of the ICC World Cup 2023 to oppressed Palestinians.

Pakistan, on Tuesday, rewrote history when they pulled off the highest run chase in a World Cup game to beat Sri Lanka by four wickets.

Young opening batter Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan played pivotal roles in Pakistan’s historic victory, both scoring a century each.

Chasing a daunting total of 345 after Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed tons to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position, the green shirts got over the line in 48.2 overs thanks to Rizwan’s unbeaten 131 and Abdullah’s 113.

Ireland had held the previous record for the highest run chase in World Cups with 329 against England in the 2011 edition.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the wicketkeeper batter dedicated his match-winning performance to oppressed Palestinians.

“This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute in the win. Credits to the whole team and especially Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali for making it easier,” Mohammad Rizwan wrote on X.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

He also expressed his gratitude to the people of Hyderabad for their tremendous support and warm hospitality.

For the unversed, Pakistan next face arch-rivals India in their next ICC World Cup 2023 fixture on October 14 in Ahmedabad.

For the highly-anticipated clash, the Pakistan squad landed in Ahmedabad through a chartered plane from Hyderabad earlier today.

The Pakistan team will rest today before hitting the nets tomorrow for the two-day training session ahead of the India game.

According to the details, Pakistan’s World Cup-bound contingent will engage in a rigorous practice session from 6 PM to 9 PM local time on Thursday (tomorrow).

They will continue their training on Friday from 2 PM to 5 PM and will partake in several batting, bowling and fielding drills to boast their preparations for the most anticipated clash of the ICC World Cup 2023.

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

Pakistan’s remaining ICC World Cup 2023 fixtures

• October 14 – vs India in Ahmedabad
• October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru
• October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
• October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
• October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
• November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

The day matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).

READ: Zaka Ashraf to travel to India tomorrow for ICC World Cup 2023

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf will travel to India tomorrow to witness Pakistan’s fixture against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 14 October.

Zaka Ashraf made the decision to travel to India after it was confirmed that the media personnel were given the go-ahead to submit their passports for an Indian visa to cover the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

“I have delayed my travel to India, and I am travelling tomorrow after receiving confirmation that Pakistan’s journalists have been asked to submit their passports to obtain visas to cover the mega event. I am happy that my conversation with the foreign office helped in achieving a positive development regarding the visa delay.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

“I am extremely pleased with the way the players have performed so far in the World Cup, winning both matches. The PCB management committee and the entire nation stand firmly behind the players for a successful campaign in the ongoing World Cup.

“I am travelling to India to motivate the team, and my message to them before the India contest will be to play fearlessly as they have been playing throughout the event.”

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

Pakistan’s remaining ICC World Cup 2023 fixtures

• October 14 – vs India in Ahmedabad
• October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru
• October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
• October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
• October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
• November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

The day matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).

READ: Pakistan squad reaches Ahmedabad for ICC World Cup 2023 clash against India