The much-awaited ICC World Cup 2023 is set to kick off on October 5, promising an exhilarating showdown between ten formidable cricketing nations. Pakistan, regarded as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders, is gearing up for a compelling campaign. Here’s a comprehensive guide to Pakistan’s World Cup journey, featuring their squad, schedule, and their aspirations of lifting the prestigious trophy.
1. A Diverse Lineup:
The ICC World Cup 2023 showcases a diverse lineup of ten teams, with Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, England, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and the Netherlands all set to battle it out. In a round-robin format, each team will face every other team once in the league stage.
2. Pakistan’s Strong Challenge:
With a rich cricketing history and a knack for producing extraordinary talents, Pakistan enters the tournament as a formidable force. Their track record in global cricket events, including the 1992 World Cup triumph, highlights their potential to clinch the title.
3. Tournament Format:
The ICC World Cup 2023 will witness a total of 48 games, with the league stage followed by semi-finals and a grand finale. The top two teams from the league stage will secure their places in the semi-finals, setting the stage for intense clashes and thrilling showdowns.
4. Pakistan’s 2019 Campaign:
In the previous edition of the World Cup in 2019, Pakistan narrowly missed out on the semi-finals. This time, they are determined to put on a better performance. Notably, Pakistan reached the final of the T20 World Cup last year, further cementing their status as strong contenders.
5. Favorable Conditions:
Hosting the tournament in India provides Pakistan with familiar and favorable conditions akin to their home country. However, it’s worth noting that Pakistan hasn’t played in India since 2016, adding an extra layer of anticipation to their matches.
6. Pakistan’s Fixture and Schedule:
Pakistan’s World Cup journey includes a total of nine league stage matches, providing ample opportunities to showcase their prowess. They kick off their campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 and conclude their league stage with a clash against England on November 11.
7. Squad Revelation Date:
As of now, Pakistan is yet to unveil its official squad for ICC World Cup 2023. However, it is expected to closely mirror the recently announced Asia Cup 2023 squad.
8. Probable Pakistan Squad:
While the official squad remains a well-guarded secret, here’s a glimpse of Pakistan’s likely lineup for the tournament:
- Captain: Babar Azam
- Key Players: Shadab Khan (VC), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr.
