Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed trained with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
Iftikhar, 33, shared a video of him training with Rizwan alongside young local cricketers in Peshawar. The hard-hitter batter could be seen practising on throw downs while Rizwan waits for his chance.
It must be noted that both Rizwan and Iftikhar will be representing Pakistan for the first time in the 50-over World Cup.
Pakistan had announced their World Cup 2023 squad on Friday. The squad will be led by prolific batter Babar Azam.
In an expected change, Hasan Ali has replaced Naseem Shah in the 15-member World Cup squad. Naseen suffered a shoulder injury at the Asia Cup 2023 and is expected to stay on the sidelines for a long period of time.
Ali last played an ODI match for Pakistan in 2022 against West Indies in Multan.
The squad was announced by chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023
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.
Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan
Pakistan made two changes to the squad which played in the Asia Cup 2023 with all-rounder Faheem Ashraf excluded and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris dropping down to reserves.
The ICC 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.
The Cricket World Cup will be played in a round-robin format with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches.
The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals, which will be held in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
Pakistan will play two warm-ups – against New Zealand on September 29 and Australia on October 3 – before their tournament opener against the Netherlands on October 6.
- Iftikhar Ahmed
