Pakistan cricket team leaves for England

Pakistan cricket team led by Sarfaraz Ahmed departed for England overnight to take part in a bilateral limited-overs series with England before starting their campaign in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2019.

Pakistan will begin their tour of England by three one-day practice matches against Kent, Northampton and Leicestershire.

Sarfaraz-led side will then take on England in a T20 International (T20I) on May 5, which will be followed by five one-day internationals (ODI).

Before the team’s departure, Sarfaraz in a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, emphasised the importance of England series to further prepare them for the mega event.

“The series against England will help us acclimatise to the conditions in England, which will help our players in the World Cup,” said Sarfaraz. 

The Pakistan skipper also praised the Prime Minister Imran Khan for motivating the team ahead of their departure.

“I am grateful to the prime minister who invited us and gave his full support to the team," he said. "It is my dream to win the World Cup for the country as captain like Imran Khan did in 1992.”

The 31-year-old also talked about the all-important clash against arch-rivals India.

“We will play all nine matches like a match against India as all matches are important. We have beaten India in a major event recently and that gives us an advantage,” he said. 

The 2019 World Cup is scheduled to start from May 30, with Pakistan playing their first game against the West Indies on May 31 at Nottingham.