In a warm-up match in Hyderabad, India, Pakistan’s batters delivered an impressive performance, setting a target of 346 runs for New Zealand in their first innings.

Mohammad Rizwan played a pivotal role, top-scoring for Pakistan with a remarkable knock of 103 runs off 93 balls, which included 11 boundaries.

Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, was the second-highest scorer, contributing 80 runs off 84 balls, featuring 10 boundaries.

Left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel also made a significant impact, adding 75 runs with nine boundaries at an impressive strike rate of 141.51.

In the morning, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in the warm-up match.

On the other side, New Zealand’s skipper Kane Williamson will only participate as a batter as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Notably, these warm-up matches are set to have 50 overs per side, but they won’t hold ODI status. This allows teams to include all 15 members of their squad in the playing XI.

The game is being played without spectators due to recommendations from local security authorities in Hyderabad, coinciding with ongoing festivals in the area.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place in India, with ten teams vying for the prestigious title across ten venues from October 5 to November 19. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host both the tournament opener and the final.

Squads:

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.