Babar Azam's decision to step down from Pakistan captaincy has evoked a mixed reaction from his teammates.
IMAGES from the Asia Cup Super 4s match played between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Sharjah on Wednesday.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews helped Sri Lanka to overcome a top-order collapse and reach 242-6 on Day one
Coming off a socio-economic crisis and the worst turmoil in its country's history, the Sri Lankan cricket team would like to provide the island nation with an emotional catharsis by beating fancied Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday.
Pakistan's unpredictability will once again be their big strength at the T20 World Cup.
Cricketers missing from World Cup 2023.
Pakistan completed a 2-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka after left-arm spinner Noman Ali bowled the tourists to a comprehensive victory by an innings and 222 runs in the second Test.
Bowling has traditionally been Pakistan's strong suit but since that is unlikely to be the case in World Cup 2023.
Before the two spells of rain interrupted play, Virat Kohli and K L Rahul were batting on 8 and 17 respectively after openers Rohit Sharma (56) and Shubman Gill (58) struck fine half-centuries.
Virat Kohli's supreme fitness was evident in his 47th ODI century while comeback man KL Rahul produced an equally engaging ton on comeback as India thrashed a listless Pakistan by record 228-run margin.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hailed his team's pace bowling unit, saying the fast bowlers would boost the side's confidence ahead of its Super Sunday clash against arch-rivals India.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said the hosts would field their strongest side against Pakistan, which means a welcome return for spinner Nathan Lyon, who will chase his 500th Test wicket after injury ruled him out of the last three matches of the Ashes.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday held a review meeting of their woeful Asia Cup show in the wake of their World Cup squad announcement.
Fakhar Zaman's ninth hundred in One Day Internationals trumped Daryl Mitchell's breezy century as Pakistan clinched a five-wicket victory over New Zealand.
Five bowlers likely to leave an impact on World Cup 2023.
'In a World Cup, if you are not good even in one department, you lose. We started well while bowling, but we couldn't take wickets.'
At the moment, Pakistan's World Cup campaign is stuck against a huge boulder primarily because of their bowlers' inability to fire as a unit, the latest setback being a 62-run defeat against Australia in Bengaluru.
While calling himself "wildcard", Ali said it is not a good thing to put a lot of pressure on pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Afghanistan registered a thrilling seven-wicket victory against Pakistan with one ball to spare in the second Twenty20 international in Sharjah.
"Off the field when we meet, we meet very warmly. We want to meet nicely. On the field, we play with intensity," stated the batter when asked about the camaraderie between the Pakistani and Indian players.
Pakistan have won their first two World Cup matches but the lack of depth in the bowling is a concern
The emergence of these young talents from India and Pakistan presents an exciting glimpse into the future of the subcontinent's cricket.
Overwhelmed with hospitality since arriving in India, Babar Azam is completely feeling "at home" in Hyderabad but didn't forget to add that Pakistan cricket fans have been missed amid their build-up for the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the sports ministry has asked the PCB not to offer a long-term contract to its incumbent director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez yet, who came into the role after the 50-overs World Cup last year.
The central contracts stand-off between Pakistan Cricket Board and top national players ended on Wednesday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the Asia Cup Super 4s match against Pakistan?
Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12 match between Pakistan and Netherlands, in Perth, on Sunday
De Leede ripped through the Pakistan line-up taking 4-62 and Colin Ackerman claimed 2-39 after the Netherlands won the toss and decided to bowl, but Rizwan (68) and Shakeel (68) ensured the Asian side made 286 in 49 overs.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the Asia Cup match against Nepal?
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya hit fifties to rally India in the rain-hit Asia Cup match in Pallekele on Saturday.
The world No 1 Pakistan will take on India as the two arch rivals meet at Pallekele in a Group A encounter.
Rohit Sharma said his batters will have to rely on their rich experience to counter Pakistan's potent pace trio
India captain is hopeful that fans will witness arch-rivals play against each other in the final of this tournament.
Hasaranga claimed three wickets in one over and Pramod Madushan claimed a career-best 4-34 to bowl out Pakistan for 147 in exactly 20 overs.
The PCB said that the change had to be made as Qadir is yet to recover from a hairline fracture
Haris Rauf bowled a couple of hostile spells, while Imam-ul-Haq struck a silken 78 as Pakistan secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a Super Four clash of the Asia Cup, in Lahore on Wednesday.
From England's fiery all-rounder Ben Stokes to India's rising star Shubman Gill, and the ever-reliable Babar Azam from Pakistan, these cricketing maestros are ready to redefine the game.
Kane Williamson showed his class in his first competitive outing in six months while Rachin Ravindra sizzled at the top of the order as New Zealand gunned down a 346-run target in their opening World Cup warm-up game against Pakistan
Pakistan cricketers floored by 'unexpected' welcome, hit nets 12 hours after arrival
Babar Azam spoke about his team's mistakes in the final match
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