Pakistan May Send Psychologist With Babar Azam-Led Team For ODI World Cup 2023 In India: Report

Pakistan in ODI World Cup 2023: While no confirmation in this regard has come yet, such a decision could be finalised in the coming weeks.

If recent media reports are to be believed, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling the possibility of sending a psychologist with the Babar Azam-led side to India when they come for the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. Such a move is being planned to better equip the team to handle pressure of an ICC trophy. Moreover, since the Pakistan team do not much of an experience of playing on Indian pitches as the teams have met in ICC events on mainly neutral venues, the psychologist could at least help them get ready mentally.

While no confirmation in this regard has come yet, such a decision could be finalised in the coming weeks with the World Cup set to commence on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, as per a report in Cricket Pakistan.

As far as Pakistan's schedule is concened, some changes in the schedule of their matches is also likely. As per the original schedule, Pakistan were set to meet India in Ahmedabad on October 15. However, security agencies advised the Indian cricket board to avoid the much-anticipated fixture on that date since it clashes with the start of the Navaratri, a festival celebrated with fervour in Gujarat.



Post that, there have been reports which have claimed that at least two of Pakistan's fixtures will be rescheduled, their match against Sri Lanka along with their match against India. However, the ICC and BCCI are yet to officially release the revised schedule which will witness tweaks in schedule of a few other teams as well. A separate report had also claimed that the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has written to the BCCI requesting for a change in schedule of England-Pakistan match which falls on Kali Puja but there will be clarity on this matter once the revised schedule is made live.