PESHAWAR: The Pakistan cricket team has left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a chartered plane for T20 World Cup from Lahore on Friday.
In a statement released on social media, national team Captain Babar Azam said, “Your support means more than anything, stand by your team, keep supporting your team.” The 15 players in the national squad, 3 travel reserves and members of the support staff will complete a day of isolation in Dubai.
Families of some members of the national T20 squad are also heading to the UAE.
Bowling consultant Vernon Philander has joined the team in Lahore while batting consultant Matthew Hayden will join Pakistan team in Dubai. The T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates starts on October 17 and team Pakistan led by Babar Azam will play its first match against India on October 24. Babar Azam hoped that by winning the first match of T20 World Cup against India, will keep the momentum in the mega event and Pakistan will win the World Cup.
Pakistan cricket squad for T20 World Cup include Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sarfraz Ahmed (Alternate wicket-keepers), Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shoaib Malik. Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir have been included in the reserve players.
Schedule of Pakistan’s matches in T20 World Cup:
October 24: Pakistan v India, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
October 26: Pakistan v New Zealand, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
October 29: Pakistan v Afghanistan, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
November 2: Pakistan v A2 at Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
November 7: Pakistan v B1 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
November 10: First semi-final at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
November 11: Second semi-final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
November 14: Final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.