TTS Report
Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC World Cup 2023 are in progress as the PCB Think Tank initiates discussions to form the squad. The final decision, however, awaits the appointment of the new chief selector.
Sources reveal that key figures like Head Coach Grant Bradburn, Director Mickey Arthur, Captain Babar Azam, and Manager Analytics Hassan Cheema have already agreed on 12 to 13 potential players for Pakistan’s World Cup team.
Some of the likely players to be part of the squad include Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr.
Furthermore, the selection process will consider players’ performance in upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup before the finalization of the team.
Notably, the World Cup, which features 10 teams playing across 10 venues, will commence from October 5 to November 19. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the tournament opener and the final.
Pakistan’s schedule for the World Cup includes matches against Netherlands, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and England, with day matches starting at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) and day-night fixtures beginning at 01:30 pm (PST).
In the round-robin format, all teams will compete against each other, playing 45 league matches. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals, which are scheduled in Mumbai and Kolkata, with reserve days provided for the semi-finals and the final.