The Pakistan cricket team has had a delightful experience since their arrival in India for the 2023 ODI World Cup. After arriving in Hyderabad, the team has been talkative in their appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality they have received in India.
Following their initial warm-up match against New Zealand in Hyderabad, Babar Azam’s team relished a luxurious dinner and took pictures with enthusiastic fans. The official Twitter account of the Pakistan Cricket Board (now known as “X”) posted a video of the team’s dinner, showcasing the players having a wonderful time.
Pakistan didn’t get off to the most promising start in their sporting endeavors as they were defeated by New Zealand in a practice match on Friday. Pakistan batted first and managed to score a substantial total of 345 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
However, their bowlers couldn’t successfully defend this target as the New Zealand team chased it down in 43.4 overs. Key contributors to New Zealand’s successful chase were Rachin Ravindra (97), Kane Williamson (54), Daryl Mitchell (59), and Mark Chapman (65), who were the top run-scorers for their team.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan (103), Babar Azam (80), and Saud Shakeel (75) performed the best with the bat.
“A hundred is a hundred; be proud and happy of it. Scoring a century for Pakistan is always special. The Indian crowd gave us a lot of love at the airport itself, just like how our fans love us back in Pakistan. We were welcomed in India in a great way. In T20Is, I open for Pakistan; in Tests, I bat at 6-7, and in ODIs I bat at number 4, I play according to the team requirements.
“Saud Shakeel is in great form, and he played a classy knock today. Hopefully, he turns out to be a great player in the ODI format as well. I and Babar try to rotate the strike; we bat similarly; our communication is good, and that helps us,” Rizwan said during the mid-inning break.