New Zealand wins warmup match against Pakistan

HYDERABAD: New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets in a warmup match of the World ODI Cricket Tournament here on Friday night.
Earlier, Pakistan put up a mamooth 346-run target for the Kiwis.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss  and decided to bat first against New Zealand. Pakistan scored 345 runs in the 50 overs. The Kiwis lost a wicket in the second overs but its batsmen stayed in the creease and met the big target after losing five wickets.
Like in past ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments, the warmup matches 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.
It must be noted that the game will be held without spectators. This decision comes 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.

Pakistan Squad

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.

New Zealand Squad

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.