ODI World Cup 2023: PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf extends his wishes to Pakistan men's cricket team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Zaka Ashraf, extended wishes to the Pakistan men's team ahead of the eagerly anticipated ODI Cricket World Cup 2023. Notably, the marquee event is slated to begin on October 5, Thursday. Pakistan will take on the Netherlands in their opening match of the competition on October 6, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, in Hyderabad.

Ashraf is hoping that the Babar Azam-led side will bring the trophy home for the second time. The 71-year-old also advised the players to focus on playing good cricket throughout the competition. Moreover, he also asked the players to back their abilities and that Ashraf will be backing the Men in Green along with the whole nation.

“I extend my support and best wishes to the Pakistan team. I am confident that our team has the potential to achieve remarkable feats. They should focus on playing competitive cricket and delivering an excellent performance in the tournament.

"I believe they will be victorious and will bring the trophy home to us. The players just need to trust in their abilities and rest assured, the entire nation is firmly supporting them," Ashraf was heard saying in Pakistan Cricket's YouTube video.

Pakistan suffers 14-run defeat against Australia in warm-up match 

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in the last warm-up match of the ODI World Cup 2023, in Hyderabad. Courtesy of Glenn Maxwell (77) and Cameron Green's (50*) half-century, Australia posted a mammoth 351 runs. David Warner and Josh Inglis also played significant knocks, scoring 48 runs each. 

Usama Mir was the key bowler of Pakistan, who finished with excellent figures of 2/31. Meanwhile, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz made one scalp each.

Marnus Labuschagne took three crucial wickets as Australia restricted Pakistan to 337 runs in 47.4 overs. Meanwhile, skipper Pat Cummins and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh also demonstrated excellent bowling skills, picking up two wickets each. For Pakistan, Iftikhar Ahmed (83), Babar Azam (90), and Mohammad Nawaz (50) scored half-centuries.