Pakistan’s national cricket team is all set for its World Cup 2023 campaign opener against the Netherlands at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
Arriving in the city a week before their first match, this visit marks the first instance of a Pakistan men’s side landing in India in seven years. The team has utilized this time for rigorous training sessions and two warm-up games to adapt to the conditions in Hyderabad.
Pakistan’s schedule includes two out of their nine league matches in Hyderabad, and skipper Babar Azam is optimistic about the team’s preparations, stating, “Our practice went well, and we will give our best.”
When asked about the team’s strengths, Babar highlighted both batting and bowling. He expressed confidence in the batters’ performances across the order and the versatility they bring to the team. In bowling, Pakistan’s fast bowlers have historically been strong, but the spinners are showing promise, particularly in taking wickets during the middle overs.
Pakistan’s clash with the Netherlands marks the first time in nearly 11 years that they will play an ODI on Indian soil. Their last 50-over international game in Hyderabad dates back to 1987.
In head-to-head encounters, Pakistan has faced the Netherlands six times in ODIs, with Pakistan emerging victorious on every occasion. The two teams last met in a bilateral series in the Netherlands in 2022, where Pakistan secured a clean sweep.
Pakistan enters the 50-over World Cup with strong prospects, boasting an impressive win-loss ratio of 2.400 in the recent World Cup cycle, with 24 wins in 36 matches. The team’s consistency can be attributed to the solid performances of its mainstays over the years.
