After all the issues and delays and doubts, Pakistan Cricket Team is here in India. But before they begin their final stretch of ICC World Cup 2023 preparations, all eyes are on Haris Rauf. The pacer suffered a shoulder injury during Asia Cup and his inclusion was a last-minute one after discussing with the physios. Before PAK vs NZ World Cup Warm-up clash, Pakistani team had their first practice session in Hyderabad. Haris Rauf had both batting and bowling sessions with light fielding drills. It’s still unclear whether he will play any part in the Pakistan vs New Zealand warm-up on Friday.
Despite After Asia Cup debacle, Babar Azam & Co have retained the core of the team barring Naseem Shah. The young pacer is out of World Cup with an injury. However, Haris Rauf is the second most important pacer in Pakistan Cricket Team after Shaheen Afridi.
“Playing in any tournament for your country is a big deal. My fitness is better than before. We have confidence in ourselves as a team. The team management will decide whether to give me the new ball or the old ball,” Haris Rauf said ahead of departure for India.
Pakistan Cricket Practice in Hyderabad
Before the Pakistan vs New Zealand warm-up, Babar Azam & Co got only a session in Hyderabad. The team only arrived in India last night. It is unclear whether Pakistan Cricket Team will train under lights. The first warm-up clash will begin at 2 PM at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
At the training session in morning, all key Pakistan Cricket Team players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, and Fakhar Zaman among others took part.
There were no specific drills for the players. It was a routine practice with Babar Azam and batters hitting the nets following warm-up sessions and fielding drills.
Pakistan Cricket Team for World Cup
Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim
Pakistan World Cup Schedule
| Date | Day | Team 1 | Team 2 | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 6 | Friday | Pakistan | Netherlands | Hyderabad | Pak won by 81 runs |
| Oct 10 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Hyderabad | Pak won by 6 wickets |
| Oct 14 | Saturday | India | Pakistan | Ahmedabad | India won by 7 wickets |
| Oct 20 | Friday | Australia | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Aus won by 62 runs |
| Oct 23 | Monday | Pakistan | Afghanistan | Chennai | Pak lost by 8 wickets |
| Oct 27 | Friday | Pakistan | South Africa | Chennai | Pak lost by 1-wicket |
| Oct 31 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Kolkata | Pak won by 7-wickets |
| Nov 4 | Saturday | New Zealand | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Pakistan won by 21 runs via DLS |
| Nov 11 | Saturday | England | Pakistan | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
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