CHENNAI: Pakistan Men’s cricket team held a full-strength training session on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here ahead of their ICC World Cup 2023 clash against Afghanistan.
According to the details, Pakistan, who are on a two-match losing streak, engaged in a rigorous practice session for a crucial fixture against spirited Afghanistan.
The players partook in several batting, bowling and fielding drills to boast their preparations for their fifth ICC World Cup 2023 fixture.
📸 #PAKvAFG preparations in Chennai 🏟️#CWC23 | #DattKePakistani pic.twitter.com/lKY54E4RBT
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 22, 2023
The national team reached here on Saturday evening through a chartered plane from Bengaluru.
Pakistan is currently in fifth position in the ICC World Cup 2023 standings with four points in three matches, with a net run rate of -0.456.
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Pakistan suffered a thumping 62-run loss to Australia, courtesy of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh’s dominating centuries, followed by a disciplined bowling performance.
Set to chase a daunting 368-run target, Pakistan could accumulate 305 in response, before being bundled out in the 46th over.
Pakistan got off to a solid start as their openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq also fired with both scoring half-centuries.
The pair took Pakistan to 134 unhurt in 21 before Marcus Stoinis struck on his very first delivery to break the shackles as he outclassed Abdullah with a short-pitched delivery.
Stoinis then struck again in his next over to remove Imam and posted a major dent to Pakistan’s pursuit by removing both set batters in quick succession.
Imam remained the top scorer for Pakistan with a 71-ball 70, hitting 10 boundaries.
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Out-of-form Adam Zampa soon strengthened Australia’s command by claiming the prized scalp of Pakistan captain Babar Azam (18), causing the green shirts to slip to 175/3 in 26.2 overs.
Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan then put together an anchoring 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Pat Cummins got rid of Saud,.
Rizwan was then joined by Iftikhar Ahmed in the middle and he charged at the Australian bowlers before Zampa removed him in the 39th over.
Zampa then struck again in his next over and got rid of Pakistan’s mainstay Mohammad Rizwan to put the five-time champions in complete control.
Australian bowlers then ran through their batting tail and soon booked Pakistan on 305 to taste their second consecutive victory, which lifted them to the fourth position in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Adam Zampa led the bowling attack for Australia with 4/53 in his 10, followed by two each from Stoinis and Pat Cummins while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struck out a batter apiece.
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 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).