Last week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the fixtures for the 2023 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.

According to the schedule, the high-voltage India versus Pakistan encounter will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15.

As the countdown for the 50-over World Cup begins, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has said that his team is looking at the showpiece tournament as a whole and not just the marquee clash against arch-rivals India.

"We are not thinking only about playing and winning against India in the World Cup. We are looking at doing well in every match if we are to win the ICC title,” Babar said while addressing a press conference on Thursday (July 6).

"We are going to play the World Cup not just India in India," he added.

Asked about the pressure of playing the World Cup in India, Babar said they were prepared to play anywhere as a team.

"We have to play the World Cup wherever it is held and we are excited about the challenges ahead of us," he said.

The Pakistan captain also dismissed the theory that the recent changes in the PCB leadership and selection committee will affect the players.

"We don't focus on what is happening in the PCB. We just focus on cricket. We have the entire schedule of our coming matches before us and we know what needs to be done to win matches as professionals," Babar said.

Pakistan’s next assignment is the tour of Sri Lanka, where the Babar Azam-led side is due to play two Tests from July 16 to July 28.

"We will be guided by Mickey Arthur in Sri Lanka as he had also remained their coach and knows the conditions there well," Babar said.

He also felt that the Test series in Sri Lanka would help Pakistan in their preparations for the upcoming 50-over Asia Cup and World Cup.

"The formats are different but playing in conditions like Sri Lanka will help us prepare well," Babar stated.

(With PTI Inputs)