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Pakistan cricket team (Source: Twitter)
The Pakistan cricket team arrived in India on Wednesday (September 27) for the much-awaited 2023 ODI World Cup. The Babar Azam-led side landed at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 8:15 p.m. and then proceeded to the hotel with the authorities under tight security. This is the first time in seven years that the Men in Green is visiting its neighbouring country, which hosts the premier 50-over tournament.
Upon their arrival in Hyderabad, the Pakistan team received a rousing welcome at the airport. A large crowd gathered, waved at the team and chanted the name of their captain Babar. Soon they boarded the team bus and travelled to their hotel, Park Hyatt Hyderabad, where they received a grant traditional welcome. The 1992 World Cup champions were overwhelmed by the wonderful hospitality of the Indian people.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posted a 2:46-long video on its social media handle with the caption: "A warm welcome in Hyderabad as we land on Indian shores". Later, Pakistan batting maestro Babar also posted an Instagram story with the photo caption: “Overwhelmed with the love support here in Hyderabad."
A warm welcome in Hyderabad as we land on Indian shores 👏#WeHaveWeWill | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/poyWmFYIwK
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 27, 2023
Pakistan to begin their World Cup campaign on October 6
Due to geopolitical tensions between the two countries, their cricket teams have also not faced each other in bilateral series since 2012. The last time Pakistan cricket team visited India was during the 2016 T20 World Cup. Pakistan will play a warm-up match against New Zealand on Friday (September 29) ahead of the opening of the tournament opener on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Babar and Co. will kick off their 2023 World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Notably, the high-octane Indisa vs. Pakistan encounter is scheduled to take place on October 14 in Ahmedabad.
Pakistan squad for ODI World Cup 2023: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usama Mir.