With less than a week remaining until their first warm-up match for the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan is facing a visa obstacle that has compelled them to cancel their pre-tournament team bonding trip to Dubai.
According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, the Pakistan team is still awaiting visas to travel to India for the ten-team event, set to commence on October 5. Prior to the tournament, each team will participate in two warm-up matches. Pakistan's initial warm-up match is scheduled against New Zealand in Hyderabad on September 29.
According to their original plan, the team was scheduled to gather in Dubai for a bonding session lasting a couple of days before proceeding to Hyderabad. However, their plans have been disrupted due to a delay in obtaining visas. Consequently, they have now decided to fly from Lahore to Dubai on the 27th, en route to Hyderabad for the game that will take place two days later. Despite this setback, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains optimistic that the visas will arrive in time for the warm-up fixture.
Pakistan's participation in the World Cup has been a protracted and complex affair. After months of uncertainty, the team finally received government clearance in August to travel to India. However, this was further complicated by India's decision not to travel to Pakistan for this year's Asia Cup.
Pakistan's second warm-up match is scheduled against Australia on October 3, followed by their opening fixture against Netherlands on October 6. Both of these matches will take place in Hyderabad.
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