Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam Says Ready To Play 'Anyone, Anywhere' In India During ICC World Cup 2023

07.07.2023 - 03:15 sports.ndtv.com

Pakistan are ready to take on any side at any venue in India during this year's World Cup, skipper Babar Azam said Thursday as the team awaited government approval to participate in the tournament.

Pakistan are drawn to play India at Ahmedabad's 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi stadium on October 15 -- the first time they will meet on either's home turf since 2012.

The neighbours are bitter political adversaries and usually only meet in international tournaments at neutral venues, most recently during the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.

The Pakistan Cricket Board wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the interior and foreign ministries this week asking for formal permission to take part in the tournament.

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup Babar Azam Australia India Sri Lanka Pakistan

Opener Abdullah Shafique's maiden double century and an unbeaten 132 by Agha Salman put Pakistan in the box seat Wednesday on day three of the second Test against Sri Lanka. The tourists reached 563-5 at stumps, leading Sri Lanka by 397 runs in their first innings at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club. Salman and concussion substitute Mohammad Rizwan, on 37, were batting in an unbeaten stand of 95 after Shafique's departure on 201. Salman played attacking cricket to reinforce Pakistan's new aggressive style in this series and reached his second Test ton with a boundary.

Watch: Pakistan Star Hassan Ali Makes Most Of Rain Delay During Test Against Sri Lanka. Internet Amused

Rain played spoilsport on Day 2 of the second Test between Pakistan against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tuesday. Abdullah Shafique and skipper Babar Azam steered Pakistan to a 12-run lead but rain halted their charge early. The tourists were 178-2 after resuming under gloomy skies on 145-2 with Abdullah Shafique, on 87, and skipper Babar Azam, on 28, batting in a stand of 57.

Pakistan in lead before rain plays spoilsport in Colombo

COLOMBO : Pakistan eclipsed Sri Lanka's meagre first-innings total of 166 but could not press on as heavy rain allowed only 10 overs of play on the second day of the second test in Colombo on Tuesday.

After 'BazBall' And 'DravBall', Pakistan Legend Introduces 'PakBall'

The word “Bazball” has become a massive part of cricket vocabulary in the recent past with the aggressive brand of Test batting finding fans all around the world. The brand of cricket, which is named after England cricket team head coach Brendon McCullum, has been dominating headlines due to the ongoing Ashes series but it looks like there is a new batting style which can be making his debut slowly on the international stage. India's aggressive show against West Indies also saw gave birth to the name 'DravBall', in reference to Rahul Dravid's team. Pakistan have been playing their own aggressive brand of cricket against Sri Lanka and former pacer Shoaib Akhtar has now dubbed it “PakBall”. During the second Test match, Pakistan scored 145 runs in just 28.3 overs with the run rate going up to above 5 per over.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 2, Live Score Updates: Pakistan Look To Maintain Dominance Over Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd Test, Day2, Live Updates:Pakistan will resume the Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka from 145/2 at Colombo. Currently,Abdullah Shafique (74*) and Babar Azam (8*) are standing unbeaten at the crease with the visitors trailing by 21 runs. Earlier in the day, Abrar Ahmed takes a four-wicket haul as Pakistan bundled out Sri Lanka for 166 on Day 1 of the second Test. Apart from Abrar, Naseem Shah took three wickets while Shaheen Afridi scalped one. For Sri Lanka, Dhananjaya de Silva scored 57 runs. (Live Scorecard)

Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood Propel Pakistan After Bowlers Delight

Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood smashed half-centuries to help Pakistan take the opening day honours after they bundled out Sri Lanka for 166 in the second Test on Monday. Pakistan, who lead the two-match series 1-0, reached 145-2 at stumps, trailing Sri Lanka by 21 runs in Colombo. Shafique, on 74, and skipper Babar Azam, on eight, were at the crease when bad light stopped play for the day. Shafique put on a second-wicket stand of 108 with the left-handed Masood, who made 51, to put Sri Lanka on the backfoot with their attacking play. Bowlers set up Pakistan's dominance after leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Naseem Shah shared seven wickets between them to dismiss the hosts in the second session.