LAHORE: Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam has asked the nation for their prayers as the squad heads to India to participate in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Babar Azam wrote in his post on X (formerly known as Twitter): “As we head for the World Cup, we seek prayers of all the Pakistan cricket team fans and well-wishers. I am certain that you will continue to extend your support and love, which you have always done. Pakistan Zindabad.”

The Babar Azam-led Pakistan contingent departed from Lahore airport with a layover in Dubai before reaching their final destination at Hyderabad, India tonight, where they will take on New Zealand on September 29 in their first warm-up fixture of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pakistan cricket team players and officials received their Indian visas for the ICC World Cup 2023, after experiencing a lengthy delay.

This delay prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to record its protest by writing a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Babar-led Pakistan will start their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad, the same venue at which they will play their warm-up fixtures against New Zealand and Australia.

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 warm-up matches schedule:

• September 29 — vs New Zealand in Hyderabad
• October 3 — vs Australia in Hyderabad

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: Pakistan squad departs for India for ICC World Cup 2023