ODI World Cup 2023: Can Babar Azam's Pakistan bring glory home after 30 years? | Pakistan squad, fixtures

Babar Azam and his team have arrived in India after seven long years, focussed on making a mark in the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup.

Pakistan's campaign commences on October 6th against the Netherlands, with a highly anticipated clash against India slated for October 14th in Ahmedabad.

Although the Men in Green showcased strength in patches during the Asia Cup in September, recent setbacks have raised concerns about their form.

Once at the top of the ODI rankings, Pakistan's lacklustre performances in the Asia Cup have cast a shadow over their recent achievement.

Moreover, the shoulder injury to Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi's new ball partner, poses a significant challenge for the team currently ranked 2nd in ODIs.

While playing in India might be a new experience altogether for the squad members, the team has had a couple of warm-up games to help them adapt to the comparatively newer conditions.

Despite these challenges, the Pakistani team, featuring in-form batsmen like Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, and Mohd Rizwan, along with potent pacers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, will be a formidable force in the World Cup. Add to that, Pakistan’s unpredictability factor and teams would be wise to not underestimate them.

Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf

Probable XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman/Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr/Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Full league stage schedule

Date Opponent Venue Time
October 6 Netherlands Hyderabad 2:00 PM IST
October 10 Sri Lanka Hyderabad 2:00 PM IST

October 14 India Ahmedabad 2:00 PM IST

October 20 Australia Chennai 2:00 PM IST
October 23 Afghanistan Chennai 2:00 PM IST
October 27 South Africa Chennai 2:00 PM IST
October 31 Bangladesh Kolkata 2:00 PM IST

November 4 New Zealand Bengaluru 10:30 AM IST
November 11 England Kolkata 2:00 PM IST