‘Ab itna late team announce karega toh aisa hi hoga’ – Fans react as Pakistan reportedly only team yet to get Visas to visit India for 2023 ODI World Cup

The ODI World Cup is set to begin on 5 October 2023 in India and Pakistan announced their 15-member squad for the mega event on 22 September along with the traveling reserves. But, now, reports have come out that the Men in Green are the only team who are yet to get visas to travel to India for the World Cup.

As reported by ESPNCricinfo, this visa issue has forced Babar Azam and his men to cancel their two-day camp in Dubai before flying to India. Before the World Cup, they are scheduled to play two warm-up matches in Hyderabad. On 29 September, they will play against New Zealand while on 3 October, they will play against Australia.

Speaking of the squad, Babar Azam will lead the team in India while their star and veteran all-rounder, Shadab Khan will be his deputy. Naseem Shah was ruled out of the tournament due to his shoulder injury. Hence, Hasan Ali replaced him despite playing the 50-over format for the last time in June 2022.

Pakistan won the ODI World Cup in 1992

Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan, and Mohammad Haris have been added to the traveling reserves. However, many fans seemed not happy with the spin bowling department as only Usama Mir, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz are the primary spin bowling options. So, it will be interesting to see if this bunch of players can win this prestigious trophy for the second time in their history or not. They will begin their World Cup campaign at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad against the Netherlands. On 14 October, they will take on arch-rivals India in Ahmedabad.   

Pakistan’s squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr 

Travelling Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Haris  

Here is how fans have reacted:

https://twitter.com/Virat_Kohli001/status/1705425613232980414