arachi, Pakistan – In a recent media interaction in Karachi, Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his belief that the upcoming ODI World Cup should not be solely focused on the highly anticipated match against India. Babar emphasized that all nine fixtures of the tournament would be crucial, and the team is committed to performing well against every opponent. Currently undergoing a preparatory camp ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series, the Pakistan team aims to approach each game with equal focus and determination.
We are going to play the World Cup, and it is not just about playing against India alone
stated Babar
“While India is a significant opponent, there are eight other teams in the tournament. Our success does not solely hinge on defeating India. We are focused on all the teams participating in the tournament. Our strategy is to perform well against every team and secure victories.”
Pakistan’s campaign in the World Cup involves playing nine league matches across five cities. The team’s initial stop will be Hyderabad, where they will face the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, the two qualifiers from Zimbabwe, on October 6 and 12, respectively. The much-anticipated clash against India is scheduled for October 15 in Ahmedabad. Subsequently, Pakistan will travel to Bengaluru to compete against Australia on October 20, followed by matches against Afghanistan in Chennai on October 23 and South Africa on October 27. The team will then face Bangladesh in Kolkata on October 31 and New Zealand in Bengaluru on November 4 before concluding their league-stage fixtures against England in Kolkata.
Babar Azam highlighted the team’s readiness to adapt to various playing conditions and environments, demonstrating their professionalism. “As professional cricketers, we are prepared to play anywhere the matches are scheduled. We need to be ready for different conditions and environments. It presents a challenge, and we are determined to rise to the occasion. As a player and captain, my aim is to score runs and secure victories for Pakistan in every country. Our focus is not solely on a single opponent but on giving our best performance against every team.”
The participation of the Pakistan team in the 2023 ODI World Cup is subject to government approval, which will be reviewed closer to the event. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has forwarded a letter seeking advice from the government regarding the team’s travel to India. The PCB also inquired about any reservations concerning the five venues for Pakistan’s matches and the possibility of sending a security delegation from the Pakistani government.
In a separate development, Babar Azam expressed his desire for the Test batters to increase their scoring rate during the upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. As most Pakistan players are currently attending a conditioning camp in Karachi, Babar aims to address the shortcomings faced by the team in the previous ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Pakistan struggled against Australia, England, and New Zealand, securing unfavorable results. The Test series against Sri Lanka marks Pakistan’s first away series in the 2023-2025 cycle, with subsequent tours of Australia and South Africa on the horizon. The team will also host England, West Indies, and Bangladesh for Test series matches at home.
Reflecting on the team’s performance in the previous championship cycle, Babar emphasized the importance of analyzing strengths and weaknesses. “When reviewing the championship, we identify the positives and areas where improvement is needed,” Babar commented. “We aim to begin this cycle positively and elevate our game by 5-10 percent. We have discussed the need for longer partnerships with the bat and taking wickets consistently with the ball. We want to increase our run rate from 3.5 to 4.”
Pakistan’s Matches at the 2023 ODI World Cup:
| Date | City | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| October 6 | Hyderabad | Netherlands |
| October 12 | Hyderabad | Sri Lanka |
| October 15 | Ahmedabad | India |
| October 20 | Bengaluru | Australia |
| October 23 | Chennai | Afghanistan |
| October 27 | Chennai | South Africa |
| October 31 | Kolkata | Bangladesh |
| November 4 | Bengaluru | New Zealand |
| November 8 | Kolkata | England |
Regarding adopting the playing styles of England and Australia in Test cricket, Babar asserted that his team has its unique approach to the game. “As captain, my focus is on winning matches and seeking results. Each team has its own mindset and plays accordingly. We strive to play our best cricket and apply ourselves in different situations. For example, we successfully chased a target of 360 [342] in Galle last year. We adapt our game based on the required run rate or defensive requirements dictated by the situation. We learn every day and continuously incorporate new elements into our system.”
Please note that Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup is subject to government approval, and the team’s schedule may be subject to changes and security considerations.
