World Cup 2023: Pakistan opt to bat against New Zealand in warm-up match

Like in past ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments, the warm-up matches will consist of 50 overs per side. However, these matches won’t have ODI status because teams will have the flexibility to include all 15 members of their squad in the playing XI.

According to New Zealand Cricket, Williamson will only feature as a batter in today’s first warm-up match against Pakistan in Hyderabad, with the aim of batting and fielding in Monday’s second and final warm-up against South Africa in Trivandrum. Tom Latham will lead New Zealand in today’s first warm-up match as a result.

It must be noted that the game will be held without spectators. This decision comes in response to recommendations from local security authorities in Hyderabad, the match’s designated venue, coinciding with ongoing festivals in the area.

On the same day as Pakistan’s match against New Zealand, two other warm-up games are scheduled: Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in Guwahati, and South Africa will compete against Afghanistan in Thiruvananthapuram.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will take place in India with 10 teams fighting for the elusive title across 10 venues from October 5 to November 19, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the tournament opener and the final.