Tag: ICC World Cup 2023

GUWAHATI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s century, paired up with Rahmat Shah’s 93 propelled Afghanistan to a resounding six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the warm-up fixture of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Chasing a revised target of 257 in 42 overs, Afghanistan comfortably knocked off the runs with 23 balls to spare.

Afghanistan, however, had a contrasting start to their pursuit as they lost opener Ibrahim Zadran (7) with just 19 runs on the board in 6.4 overs.

Gurbaz then partnered with Rahmat Shah and the pair launched an astounding recovery by adding a mammoth 212 runs for the second wicket.

The opener got to his century in the process while Shah was seven short of the milestone before both opted to retire by the end of the 32nd over.

Gurbaz top-scored with 119 in 92 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries and nine sixes while Shah hit 93 off 82 balls. His innings featured 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Najibullah Zadran (15) and Azmatullah Omarzai (14) then put together a match-winning 27-run partnership, steering Afghanistan to a morale-boosting victory.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Put into bat first, Sri Lanka could register 294 runs on the board despite a marathon 158-run knock by their stand-in skipper Kusal Mendis.

Sri Lanka got off to a below-par start to their innings as their openers raised a brisk 30-run stand before Mujeeb Ur Rahman got rid of Dimuth Karunaratne (8) in the sixth over.

Coming out to bat at number three, Mendis joined Pathum Nissanka (30) at the crease and the pair knitted a 52-run stand before the latter perished in the 13th over.

Following the slump, Mendis found subtle support in the form of Sadeera Samarawickrama and the duo anchored the innings with a brilliant 158-run partnership.

Mendis majorly dominated the third-wicket partnership and notched up the 150-run mark before he opted to retire out when Sri Lanka were 240/2 in 30 overs.

He remained the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with a quickfire 87-ball 158 which featured 19 boundaries and nine sixes.

Following his departure, Sri Lanka began to lose wickets at an alarming rate before consequently bowled out for 294 in the 47th over.

Samarawickrama remained the next notable run-getter for Sri Lanka with a 54-ball 39 which included four boundaries.

Mohammad Nabi led the bowling attack for Afghanistan with 4/44 in his eight overs while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Abdul Rahman and Rashid Khan struck out a batter apiece.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s third warm-up fixture of the ICC World Cup 2023 between hosts India and Netherlands was abandoned without a ball bowled.

For the unversed, India’s previous warm-up fixture against England was also washed out without a ball bowled.

READ: Batters-led Australia rack up 351 against Pakistan in World Cup warm-up

HYDERABAD: Fifties from Iftikhar Ahmed, Babar Azam and Mohammad Nawaz were not enough as five-time champions Australia edged out Pakistan by 14 runs in the warm-up match to boast their preparations for the ICC World Cup 2023.

Set to chase a daunting total of 352, Pakistan narrowly missed pulling off a confidence-boosting victory as they were bundled out on 337 in response.

Pakistan got off to a dismal start to the pursuit as they lost four wickets with just 83 runs on the board in the 15th over.

Following the slump, Pakistan’s regular captain Babar Azam joined Iftikhar Ahmed in the middle and the pair launched an astonishing recovery.

Babar and Iftikhar put together brisk 144 runs, the majority of which, however, came against part-time bowlers like Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner and Steve Smith.

The pair dominated the part-time bowlers and had put Pakistan in command before Labuschagne broke the stand by dismissing Iftikhar, who scored 83 in 85 balls, hitting six boundaries and four sixes.

Babar, on the other hand, put on a brief partnership with Salman Ali Agha before opting to retire by the end of the 36th over.

He remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a quickfire 90 which came off 59 balls and laced with 11 boundaries and two sixes.

Following Babar’s departure, Australia brought in their main bowlers and piled up pressure on the Pakistan batting tail, which crumbled and yielded wickets at regular intervals, resulting in the Green Shirts being bowled out in the 48th over.

Marnus Labuschagne led the bowling attack for Australia with three wickets, followed by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh with two each while Sean Abbott and Glenn Maxwell made one scalp each.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Australian batters justified the decision of their captain Pat Cummins to bowl first as they made the most of the batting-friendly pitch to pile up a massive total in their last warm-up fixture before they take on hosts India in the campaign opener on Sunday.

Australia’s opening pair of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh scripted a solid start to their innings as they dominated the Pakistan bowlers amid their brisk 83-run partnership.

Australian openers appeared to be heading towards the 100-run mark before Usama Mir pulled things back as he removed both set batters in his successive overs to mark Pakistan’s comeback.

Warner scored a 33-ball 48, hitting four boundaries and three sixes while Marsh played a cautious 31-run knock.

With the scoreboard reading 92/2 in 14.1 overs, experienced batter Steve Smith joined forces with Marnus Labuschagne and the duo kept Australia in command with a vital third-wicket partnership.

Smith (27) and Labuschagne (40) carried the momentum and added 59 runs to the total before they both fell in consecutive overs as Australia slipped to 153/4 in the 25th over.

Pakistan bowlers were looking confident to make a comeback after back-to-back success but Glenn Maxwell, coming out to at number six, launched an astounding counterattack.

The all-rounder smashed four boundaries and six sixes on his way to top score for Australia with a 71-ball 77 before finally perishing in the 41st over with 255 runs on the board.

He also stitched a magnificent 83-run partnership with Cameron Green, who, alongside Josh Inglis, added vital runs for Australia at the backend and returned with an unbeaten half-century.

Green scored 50 not out in 40 balls while Inglis fell just shy of his half-century as he scored 48 off just 30 deliveries.

Usama Mir was the pick among the bowlers for Pakistan, claiming 2/31 in his five while Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz picked one each.

READ: Aamer Jamal’s blitz powers Pakistan Shaheens to Asian Games semi-final

HYDERABAD: Fifties from Iftikhar Ahmed, Babar Azam and Mohammad Nawaz were not enough as five-time champions Australia edged out Pakistan by 14 runs in the warm-up match to boast their preparations for the ICC World Cup 2023.

PAK 337 (47.4 Overs)

Labuschagne returns

PAK 331/9 (47 Overs)

Starc bowls again

PAK 326/9 (46 Overs)

Marsh again

PAK 316/8 (45 Overs)

Starc continues

PAK 312/8 (44 Overs)

Marsh continues

PAK 305/8 (43 Overs)

Starc comes back

PAK 302/8 (42 Overs)

Marsh replaces Cummins

PAK 292/7 (41 Overs)

Abbott continues

PAK 277/7 (40 Overs)

Cummins continues

PAK 273/7 (39 Overs)

Abbott comes back

PAK 269/7 (38 Overs)

Cummins returns

PAK 265/6 (37 Overs)

Smith replaces Maxwell

PAK 255/6 (36 Overs)

Labuschagne continues

PAK 243/5 (35 Overs)

Maxwell bowls his eighth

PAK 241/5 (34 Overs)

Labuschagne again

PAK 232/5 (33 Overs)

Maxwell again

PAK 227/5 (32 Overs)

Labuschagne continues

PAK 223/4 (31 Overs)

Maxwell continues

PAK 212/4 (30 Overs)

Labuschagne replaces Warner

PAK 196/4 (29 Overs)

Maxwell replaces Smith

PAK 192/4 (28 Overs)

Warner continues

PAK 167/4 (27 Overs)

Smith continues

PAK 158/4 (26 Overs)

David Warner comes to bowl

PAK 142/4 (25 Overs)

Smith continues

PAK 137/4 (24 Overs)

Marsh continues

PAK 130/4 (23 Overs)

Steve Smith comes into the attack

PAK 114/4 (22 Overs)

Marsh again

PAK 111/4 (21 Overs)

Labuschagne bowls his fourth

PAK 100/4 (20 Overs)

Marsh continues

PAK 96/4 (19 Overs)

Labuchagne continues

PAK 94/4 (18 Overs)

Marsh replaces Abbott

PAK 91/4 (17 Overs)

Labuschagne continues

PAK 85/4 (16 Overs)

Abbott continues

PAK 83/4 (15 Overs)

Marnus Labushcagne into the attack

PAK 71/3 (14 Overs)

Abbott again

PAK 65/3 (13 Overs)

Maxwell bowls

PAK 62/3 (12 Overs)

Abbott continues

PAK 61/2 (11 Overs)

Maxwell again

PAK 59/2 (10 Overs)

Sean Abbott comes into the attack

PAK 56/2 (9 Overs)

Maxwell continues

PAK 53/2 (8 Overs)

Cummins continues

PAK 48/2 (7 Overs)

Spin as Glenn Maxwell comes to bowl

PAK 44/1 (6 Overs)

Cummins continues to bowl

PAK 35/0 (5 Overs)

Starc bowls his third

PAK 29/0 (4 Overs)

Cummins continues from the other end

PAK 23/0 (3 Overs)

Starc continues

PAK 10/0 (2 Overs)

Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end

PAK 4/0 (1 Over)

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq come out to bat for Pakistan. Mitchell Starc to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs AUSTRALIA (2nd INNINGS)

A combined batting effort, led by Glenn Maxwell’s 77 propelled Australia to a massive total of 351/7 in the ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up fixture against Pakistan.

AUS 350/7 (50 Overs)

Haris to bowl the final over

AUS 339/7 (49 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim continues

AUS 324/6 (48 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

AUS 307/6 (47 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim returns

AUS 291/6 (46 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

AUS 280/6 (45 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

AUS 270/6 (44 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

AUS 260/6 (43 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

AUS 256/6 (42 Overs)

Hasan Ali continues

AUS 255/6 (41 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

AUS 248/5 (40 Overs)

Hasan Ali returns to bowl

AUS 238/5 (39 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

AUS 225/5 (38 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

AUS 223/5 (37 Overs)

Shadab Khan replaces Mohammad Wasim

AUS 210/5 (36 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi returns to the attack

AUS 208/5 (35 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim continues

AUS 204/5 (34 Overs)

Nawaz continues

AUS 191/5 (33 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim continues

AUS 189/5 (32 Overs)

Nawaz continues to bowl

AUS 184/5 (31 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim continues

AUS 180/5 (30 Overs)

Nawaz continues

AUS 172/4 (29 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim returns to the attack

AUS 167/4 (28 Overs)

Nawaz continues

AUS 164/4 (27 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues from the other end

AUS 157/4 (26 Overs)

Nawaz continues

AUS 155/4 (25 Overs)

24.1: Smith eased it through the onside, but got a little whisper of an outside edge and was caught behind

Haris Rauf continues

AUS 153/3 (24 Overs)

23.2: Nawaz gets Labuschagne as Haris takes a sharp catch behind the stumps off an outside edge

Mohammad Nawaz replaces Shadab Khan

AUS 150/2 (23 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns to the attack

AUS 140/2 (22 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues to bowl

AUS 132/2 (21 Overs)

Usama Mir continues

AUS 127/2 (20 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues to bowl

AUS 125/2 (19 Overs)

Usama Mir continues

AUS 115/2 (18 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

AUS 111/2 (17 Overs)

Usama Mir continues

AUS 100/2 (16 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

AUS 97/2 (15 Overs)

14.1: Marsh gets out after getting a faint outside edge that carries to Iftikhar at first slip

Usama Mir continues to bowl

AUS 92/1 (14 Overs)

Shadab Khan replaces Mohammad Wasim

AUS 84/1 (13 Overs)

12.2: Warner pulls it over deep midwicket, but the ball skids on straight to long-on

Usama Mir replaces Haris Rauf

AUS 83/0 (12 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim continues

AUS 77/0 (11 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues to bowl

AUS 64/0 (10 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim Jr. replaces Hasan Ali on the other end

AUS 49/0 (9 Overs)

Haris Rauf replaces Shaheen Afridi

AUS 34/0 (8 Overs)

Hasan Ali continues

AUS 32/0 (7 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

AUS 28/0 (6 Overs)

Hasan Ali continues

AUS 25/0 (5 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

AUS 16/0 (4 Overs)

Hasan Ali continues from the other end

AUS 15/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

AUS 15/0 (2 Overs)

Hassan Ali to bowl from the other end

AUS 8/0 (1 Over)

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh come out to open the innings. Shaheen Afridi to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs AUSTRALIA (1st INNINGS)

HYDERABAD: Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the warm-up match of ICC World Cup 2023, here on Tuesday.

PLAYING LINE-UPS

Australia

Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc

Watch: Pakistan vs Australia | ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up Live Match

Pakistan

Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha

READ: Jaiswal ton powers India to victory in Asian Games debut

HYDERABAD: Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the warm-up match of ICC World Cup 2023, here on Tuesday.

PLAYING LINE-UPS

Pakistan

Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Australia

Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag, known for making controversial statements, baffled fans with his remarks on the Pakistan team’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign.

Virender Sehwag, in an interview with a cricketing website, said the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 would be exciting if there were upsets in it. He pinned hopes on Afghanistan defeating Pakistan in the tournament on October 23rd in Chennai.

“There should be something that shakes up the expectations, but I don’t want India to face any upset,” he said.

“If there has to be an upset, it should be like Afghanistan defeating Pakistan, or New Zealand defeating Australia, or South Africa defeating England. That’s when it will be exciting to watch this World Cup.”

Moreover, Virender Sehwag hoped India would continue its perfect record against Pakistan in the 50-over world championships on October 14th in Ahmedabad.

“India’s record against Pakistan is quite remarkable, especially in the ODI World Cup. Until now, we haven’t lost a single match against them, and I really hope this record continues. Pakistan’s team is quite strong, but we have outperformed them in the Asia Cup.

“I would love for this record to remain intact, especially when the team steps onto the field in Ahmedabad to play against Pakistan. I expect that 100,000 people will come to the ground to watch the match, and that in itself will create pressure.”

Virender Sehwag is one of India’s most decorated cricketers. He represented 374 international fixtures across all three formats (Test, ODI and T20I) in which he amassed 17,253 runs and took 136 wickets.

He was part of the side that won the ICC World T20 2007, and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

READ: England restrict Bangladesh on 188/9 in rain-hit warm-up fixture

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Wicketkeeper batter Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 84-run knock went in vain as New Zealand edged South Africa by seven runs on DLS in the ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up match.

Chasing 322, South Africa were 211/4 in 37 overs when rain intervened with de Kock (84*) and David Miller (18*) at the crease.

The downpour here did not relent and thus did not allow further action and the Proteas were found seven runs short on the DLS method.

Quinton de Kock top-scored for South Africa with an unbeaten 89 in 84 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and a six.

Heinrich Klaassen was the other notable run-getter for South Africa, scoring a 37-ball 39.

Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with 2/20 while Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner made one scalp each.

New Zealand’s batting lineup justified their captain Kane Williamson’s decision to bat first as they racked up a massive total on the board, thanks to a combined effort.

New Zealand, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost their first wicket with just 24 runs on the board as Will Young perished for a 17-ball 12.

Following the early blow, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson joined Conway in the middle and stabilized the proceedings for his side.

The pair added 89 runs to the total before the Kiwi captain Williamson opted to walk back after scoring 37 in 51 balls, hitting three boundaries.

Devon Conway was then joined by wicketkeeper batter Tom Latham and the pair put on a brief 46-run partnership before the former returned to the dugout.

Conway remained the top-scorer for New Zealand with a 73-ball 78 which featured 11 boundaries and a six.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Following his departure, Latham and Glenn Phillips spearheaded New Zealand’s expedition with the bat.

The pair added an 83-run partnership before both perished in the 40th over, bowled by Marco Jansen.

Latham scored 52 off 56 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and a six while Phillips played a 43-run knock in 40 balls, laced up with as many boundaries.

New Zealand middle-order, comprised of Mark Chapman (20), James Neesham (14), Daryl Mitchell (25) and Mitchell Santner (16) then added vital runs at the backend and propelled their side to post a decent total on the board.

For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen bagged three wickets each while the rest went wicketless.

ICC World Cup 2023 Squads

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.

READ: Shadab Khan aims to perform at ICC World Cup 2023 with a ‘new mindset’

HYDERABAD: All-rounder Shadab Khan has expressed hope to regain his form and perform with a ‘new mindset’ in the ICC World Cup 2023, scheduled to be played from October 5 to November 19.

Shadab Khan, during a press conference before Pakistan’s practice session in Hyderabad, expressed his wish to give his best for Pakistan in the World Cup 2023 and put Asia Cup 2023 memories in the past.

“I admit I haven’t been in good form lately, and it drained me mentally as I was playing continuously but could not perform at my best,” said Shadab Khan. “However, the past is in the past. The rest I got has made me feel better and I hope to perform at my best during the World Cup for my team with a new mindset,”

Shadab Khan had a forgettable stint at the Asia Cup 2023 as he only managed to pick six wickets in five games at an average of 40.83, while with the bat, he scored a meagre 13 runs from five outings.

Shadab Khan also backed teammate and opening batter Fakhar Zaman, who also struggled during the Asia Cup, scoring 65 runs in the four innings at an average of 16.25.

“Fakhar Zaman is a world-class player, although he is not been consistent this year, but he is an impact player. We have complete faith in his abilities and we believe that he will help Pakistan win matches in the World Cup,” he added.

He also stressed the fact that fitness and bowling are key to winning the mega-event in India.

“World Cup 2023 is a long tournament and we have experienced a few injury scares during Asia Cup, that is why fitness will be key for all the teams during the tournament,” he said.

“Considering the conditions, it will be a challenge to stop the flow of runs and take wickets here, so whoever bowls well will win the World Cup,” he added.

Pakistan team is scheduled to face Australia in their second warm-up match on October 3, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, before kicking off their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign with the match against Netherlands on October 6 at the same venue.

Pakistan lost their first warm-up match against New Zealand by five wickets as New Zealand batters chased down a mammoth 346 total with 38 balls to spare.

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

READ: Pakistan Shaheens squad reaches Hangzhou to partake in Asian Games 2023

HYDERABAD: Mickey Arthur, Director of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team, has joined the Pakistan squad in Hyderabad, India on Sunday for the ICC World Cup 2023, scheduled to commence on October 5.

Pakistan team is scheduled to face Australia in their second warm-up match on October 3, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, before kicking off their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign with the match against Netherlands on October 6 at the same venue.

Pakistan lost their first warm-up match against New Zealand by five wickets as New Zealand batters chased down a mammoth 346 total with 38 balls to spare.

Mickey Arthur was appointed Director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team earlier this year. In this role, Arthur is involved in designing, formulating and overseeing strategies behind the Pakistan men’s team.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be rejoining the Pakistan cricket team and look forward to working with the group,” Mickey Arthur said after his appointment.

Arthur has served as the head coach of Pakistan from 2019 to 2019. During his tenure, the Pakistan team became the number one team in the Tests and T20I rankings, as well as winning the Champions Trophy in 2017.

“Since moving on, I have kept a track of the players and their collective performances. This is a talented bunch with the potential to be number one across all formats and my endeavour is to put in place strategies and create an environment that can contribute in further enhancing their performances so that we can extract the best out of them.”

Mickey Arthur is part of the coaching staff for the ICC World Cup 2023, as well as the away series against Australia and the home series against the West Indies.

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 schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:

• October 6 – vs Netherlands in Hyderabad
• October 10 – vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad
• 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 ‘proposes’ Jinnah-Gandhi trophy to BCCI

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf on Saturday, shared his views on whether Babar Azam would remain Pakistan’s captain after the ICC World Cup 2023. 

Babar Azam’s captaincy often came under questioning, the recent example of which was following Pakistan’s dismal performance in the recently-held Asia Cup 2023.

He was criticized for his approach, bowling options and field settings in the continental tournament.

The cricket fans and former players had lambasted the batter, accusing him of selecting players for the major tournaments on the basis of their friendships.

Meanwhile, PCB head Zaka Ashraf appeared on the ARY News show Bouncer and talked about the country’s cricketing affairs and other aspects of the game.

When asked what was Babar Azam’s future as Pakistan captain after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the PCB Chairman said the right-handed batter is a prolific cricketer and was impressed with his skills.

He urged the Pakistan Cricket Team to give their all in their bid for the second 50-over title, adding that the management back home will sit with the skipper and devise a strategy to overcome the shortcomings.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan suffered a setback before the ICC World Cup 2023 began as they lost their first warmup game to New Zealand by five wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday.

Babar Azam’s side will now take on five-time champions Australia on October 3 in their second warm-up game of the World Cup.

They begin their quest for the World Cup on October 6th when they take on the Netherlands at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

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

READ: Zaka Ashraf lauds India for warm reception of Pakistan squad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mitchell Starc took a hat-trick against the Netherlands on Saturday before rain abandoned the ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up fixture.

Set to chase 167 in 23 overs, the Netherlands found themselves in heaps of trouble as left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc ran through their top order with a hat-trick.

Starc’s hat-trick left the Netherlands reeling at 12/3 before Mitchell Marsh made it 15/4 by castling Vikramjit Singh in the fourth over.

Sybrand Engelbrecht and Colin Ackermann then put on a brief 31-run partnership to settle things before Sean Abbott and Marnus Labuschagne hit back for Australia.

Engelbrecht could score a mere nine before falling victim to Abbott while Dutch captain Scott Edwards scored 14.

Ackermann remained the top-scorer for the Netherlands — who could score 84/6 in 14.2 overs — with an unbeaten 31 in 37 balls with the help of three boundaries.

Mitchell Starc led the bowling attack for Australia with 3/18 while Marsh, Abbott and Labushchagne struck out a batter each.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Opting to bat first in Saturday’s second warm-up fixture, which was reduced to 23 over a side due to persistent rain here, Australia racked up a commendable total at the back of Steven Smith’s half-century.

The five-time champions, however, got off to a contrasting start as Josh Inglis, who was promoted to open the innings alongside Smith, fell for a three-ball duck.

Smith was then joined by wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey and the pair anchored Australia to 59 in eight overs before Roelof van der Merwe castled the latter.

Carey scored 28 off 25 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a six.

Australia then endured another setback in the next over when Shariz Ahmad dismissed Glenn Maxwell, who could score a mere five.

Smith then joined forces with Cameron Green and took Australia past the 100-run mark, also amassing his half-century in the process, before finally perishing in the 15th over.

He top-scored for Australia with a 42-ball 55 which featured four boundaries and three sixes.

Following his departure, Green and Mitchell Starc scored vital runs for Australia at the backend, propelling their side to put a decent total on the board.

Green scored 34 in 26 balls, laced up with four boundaries and a six, while Starc played an unbeaten 24-run knock in 22 deliveries with the help of one boundary and a six.

Logan van Beek, Bas de Leede and Roelof van der Merwe bagged two wickets each while Shariz Ahmed made one scalp.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (c), Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht.

READ: Rain abandons India-England ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up