No India Visa, No Dubai Trip. Hiccups For Pakistan Ahead Of World Cup: Report

23.09.2023 - 08:07 sports.ndtv.com

The Pakistan cricket team's plans to travel to Dubai before arriving in Hyderabad for the ODI World Cup in India have been cancelled over visa issues.

As per a report, Babar Azam and his men had planned to travel to Dubai for a pre-World Cup team bonding trip but it couldn't be materialised.

The plan had to be cancelled as the Pakistan team is still waiting to get visas for their travel to India. Of the 9 teams that are participating in the tournament, alongside India, the Pakistan team is reportedly the only one to have not received their visa yet.

Pakistan were supposed to fly to the UAE next week and stay there for a couple of days before heading to Hyderabad for their first warm-up game against New Zealand on September 29.

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup Asia Cup Naseem Shah Netherlands Uae New Zealand India Pakistan

Ahead of India's blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday, fans have threatened to boycott the match on social media due to Pakistan's involvement in terrorism, once again sparking a 'Boycott' trend and debate that if sports and politics/international relations can be kept separate. Earlier on September 13, an Indian Army Colonel commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit along with a Major and a Deputy Superintendent of Police were killed in a gunfight with terrorists in the Kokernag area of Kashmir's Anantnag district.

"Kuldeep Yadav Not A Certainty": India Great's Bold Take On Team's Playing XI For Cricket World Cup 2023

Team India is all set to kick off its Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign on October 8 with a match against Australia in Chennai. Before Rohit Sharma and company begin their quest for the world title, former India captain Ravi Shastri has made a bold statement. Shastri believes that left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav's place in the playing XI of India is not confirmed. He added that Kuldeep could cement his place during the Cricket World Cup 2023 only if he starts the tournament on a 'brilliant' note.

World Cup 2023: India Ready To Raise Curtain On Cricket World Cup

India target a third World Cup when cricket's global showpiece gets underway on Thursday with the country buoyed by a growing, international self-confidence and with a sport which unites and divides the sub-continent like no other on the verge of joining the Olympic elite. The epic tournament features 10 nations playing 48 matches over 46 days at 10 different venues. However, the build-up has been far from smooth after arch-rivals Pakistan considered a boycott when India refused to travel across the border for the Asia Cup.

"Pakistan Are Now Getting A Habit Of Losing": Ramiz Raja Blasts Babar Azam And Co Ahead Of Cricket World Cup 2023

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja was extremely critical of the Pakistan cricket team after they went down fighting against New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup 2023 warm-up match. The Babar Azam-led side scored 345 with the help of a century from Mohammed Rizwan and a gritty 80 from the skipper. However, that was not enough as New Zealand were able to chase it down with 6.2 overs to spare. Raja said that Pakistan are getting a habit of losing and pointed out that if the bowlers fail to perform on the big stage, the team will have to score more than 400 runs.

"Best Spinner In This World Cup": Ex-Pakistan Skipper's Huge Praise For Kuldeep Yadav

Former Pakistan skipper Intikhab Alam lavished praise on India's wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and stated that he will give the hosts a distinct advantage in the middle overs during the ODI World Cup 2023. Kuldeep played a crucial role in Team India's victory in the recently concluded Asia Cup. The 28-year-old spinner scalped a total of nine wickets and bagged the Player of the Series award. His scalps included a five-wicket haul and a four-wicket haul. As the teams are now preparing for the ODI World Cup 2023, which will kick-start from October 5, Kuldeep will look to repeat his heroics in the marquee event.

Cricket World Cup 2023: India, A solid Team But Middle-Order Confusion Persists

An emphatic performance in the Asia Cup followed by a dominant show with the willow against Australia placed the Indian team in good headspace going into the World Cup but problems remain when it comes to zeroing in on the ideal playing XI. India begin their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.