World Cup 2023: Pakistan set for warm-up matches against Australia,  New Zealand

New Delhi: Pakistan is set to engage with Australia and New Zealand in warm-up matches for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, to be hosted in India next month.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) disclosed the schedule of warm-up fixtures, revealing that each of the 10 participating teams will play two official 50-over matches in the week preceding the World Cup's commencement on October 5.

These matches are distributed across three cities in India: Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Scheduled between Friday, September 29, and Tuesday, October 3, the warm-up matches will serve as a crucial opportunity for teams to acclimatize themselves to the prevailing conditions expected during the World Cup.

The series of warm-up matches is set to kick off with Bangladesh facing Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

Meanwhile, South Africa will square off against Afghanistan at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, and New Zealand will encounter Pakistan at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

The subsequent day will witness the host nation, India, competing against reigning champions England in Guwahati.

Simultaneously, Australia, the five-time winners, will seek essential practice as they challenge the Netherlands at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

All matches will commence at 2:00 pm IST, with the flexibility for teams to field any member from their respective 15-player squads.

The schedule for the World Cup warm-up fixtures is as follows:

Friday, September 29:

Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

South Africa vs. Afghanistan at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

New Zealand vs. Pakistan at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

Saturday, September 30:

India vs. England at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

Australia vs. Netherlands at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

Monday, October 2:

England vs. Bangladesh at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

New Zealand vs. South Africa at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

Tuesday, October 3:

Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

India vs. Netherlands at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

Pakistan vs. Australia at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad