Pakistan

Earlier, Zaka had allegedly made an indirect reference to India as an "enemy country" on Wednesday evening as the Pakistan cricket team arrived in Hyderabad, to participate in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Palak had qualified seventh among eight participants while Esha was placed 5th and Kishmala in third position as China's Nan Zhao and Ranxin Jiang shot Asian Games records in the Qualifying stage with 581 each. Palak had a score of 577, Esha was at 579 while the Pakistani shooter had a score of 580. 

The reason behind the warm-up game to be played behind closed doors has been cited ‘as per the advice of the local security agencies’ in Hyderabad. “The match in Hyderabad coincides with festivals on the day and large gatherings are expected around the city. The spectators who bought tickets for the game will receive a full refund,” further said the update.

As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, the Pakistan team was due to fly to the UAE early next week and reside there for a couple of days before flying to Hyderabad, ahead of their first warm-up game against New Zealand on September 29.

Hasan, who last played an ODI in June 2022, will now be joining Pakistan’s fast-bowling line-up for the mega event featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jnr. Naseem is missing the tournament after suffering a shoulder injury during the Asia Cup in the Super Four match against India.

The squad mostly stuck to familiar faces, with the core group of players that have regularly featured over the last couple of years picked once again. However, Pakistan had to make a crucial change in their lineup.

The right shoulder injury that he suffered during the two-day marathon match against India in the Super 4 stage first ruled him out of the Asia Cup and now has made him unavailable for the World Cup. Naseem Shah might not be seen in action for a year, as per a report on the ESPNcricinfo website.

The pace duo picked up niggling injuries during Pakistan Super Four clash against India at the Asia Cup and were sitting on from the sidelines when the side crashed out of the tournament after suffering a 2-wicket loss (DLS) against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The local media in Pakistan reported on Tuesday that the FIH had made the tough decision to withdraw the hosting rights for one of the two Olympic qualifiers from Pakistan because of "growing concern over non-cooperation and undue interference in the daily operations of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF)."

Naseem and Rauf picked up niggles during Pakistan's 228-run loss to India on Monday and are no certainty to recover in time for the side's final match of the Super Four stage against Sri Lanka on Thursday, states ICC.