ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan set 346-run target for New Zealand in warm-up match

In a warm-up game against New Zealand in Hyderabad, India, Pakistani hitters put on an all-around performance that enabled the Green Shirts to score 345 runs in the first innings on Friday.

Mohammad Rizwan led his team in scoring with an incredible 103 runs off 93, including 11 boundaries.

Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, was the second top-scorer as he scored 80 off 84 and with 10 boundaries.

Moreover, everyone was amazed by the left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel's impressive at-bat performance. The 28-year-old made 75 runs with nine boundaries and a stellar strike rate of 141.51, which is commendable.

Earlier in the today, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first.

On the other hand, the Kiwis’ skipper Kane Williamson will only feature as a batter as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

It must be noted that 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.

The game is being held without spectators. This decision came in response to recommendations from local security authorities in Hyderabad, the match's designated venue, coinciding with ongoing festivals in the area.

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.

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.