Pakistan begin first India visit in seven years for ODI World Cup 2023

27.09.2023 - 09:55 thenationalnews.com

Pakistan's players undertook their most significant journey in years when they departed for the ODI World Cup in India. There has been a lot of buzz around the Pakistan contingent ahead of the 50-over tournament that begins in Ahmedabad on October 5.

Firstly, they delayed announcing their final squad until the eleventh hour, most likely to get the latest medical update on fast bowler Naseem Shah's injury.

After the list was eventually confirmed, they faced last-minute travel issues as their visas did not get processed in time for a pre-tournament camp in Dubai.

But on Tuesday night, all things fell into place as Pakistan began their travel to India, via the UAE. The travelling party will land in Hyderabad on Wednesday evening.

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Pakistan players chose to confine themselves to their hotel rooms upon their arrival in Bengaluru from Ahmedabad on Sunday, but the relatively low-key touchdown did not prevent them from celebrating the birthday of captain Babar Azam. The players cut a cake at the team hotel as Babar turned 29 on Sunday. "It was a small function attended by the players and support staff. There were not many activities today as it was a travel day, and the team will soon start preparations for the upcoming matches," said an official travelling with the team.

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