The Pakistan cricket team made a significant arrival in India after a hiatus of seven years, marking their return for the Cricket World Cup 2023. Led by Babar Azam, the team embarked on this journey, with Hyderabad being a significant part of their itinerary, following a lengthy nine-hour layover in Dubai. Departing from Lahore in the early hours of Wednesday, they reached Hyderabad under the cover of night.

Their campaign in India commences with a warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29, followed by a clash with Australia on October 3. The real action begins when they face the Netherlands in their opening tournament match before taking on Sri Lanka on October 10. It's worth noting that the Pakistani players obtained their Indian visas mere 48 hours before their scheduled departure, underscoring the tense relations between India and Pakistan, where their cricket encounters are limited to the Asia Cup and ICC events.

With the exception of Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha, very few Pakistani cricketers have had the opportunity to visit India for cricket purposes. Babar Azam, the team's captain, couldn't participate in the 2016 T20 World Cup in India due to an injury.

In terms of security and arrangements, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has assured the International Cricket Council (ICC) that all participating teams will receive top-notch security and care. Zaka Ashraf, the head of the PCB management committee, expressed confidence that the Pakistan team won't face any issues during their stay in India and their matches.

Prior to departing for India, Babar Azam expressed his excitement about playing in India, particularly in Ahmedabad, where the arch-rivals will face off in front of a crowd exceeding one lakh spectators. Despite not having prior experience of playing in India, Babar emphasized that the team wasn't burdened by excessive pressure. They had conducted their research and expected conditions similar to those in other Asian countries.

"I am excited to play in Ahmedabad as it will be jam-packed. I will try my best to perform up to my potential. I am not worried about my individual accolades, I want to make sure whatever I do helps the result for the team,” Babar Azam remarked during the pre-departure media conference.