Before travelling to India for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Pakistan’s World Cup-bound players were supposed to go to Dubai for a team bonding trip.

However, the plans have been called off due to delays in obtaining their visas for travel to India on Friday (September 22), ESPNcricinfo reported.

Babar Azam and his men had initially scheduled a trip to the UAE for next week. They were due to spend a few days before departing for Hyderabad to take part in their first warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29.

But the plans had to be scrapped after Pakistani players didn’t receive their visas. The Men in Green will now travel to Karachi and then fly to Hyderabad next week. This will be Pakistan cricket team’s first visit to India since 2016.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Friday (September 22) announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

As expected, star pacer Naseem Shah wasn’t included in the side due to a shoulder injury he sustained in the Asia Cup Super 4 clash against India. Hasan Ali replaced Naseem in the squad.

There were doubts if Fakhar Zaman will make it to the World Cup squad given his poor form lately but the selectors showed faith in the senior opener. Young batters such as Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman also featured in the squad.

Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir are the spinners in the side whereas Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the Pakistan pace attack alongside Haris Rauf.

Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad.

Pakistan squad for World Cup: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali

Travelling Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan and Mohammad Haris