No ill-will in dressing room: Pakistan captain Babar Azam slams rumours of rift ahead of CWC '23

Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam on Tuesday (Sep 26) rubbished claims of a rift in the team after its closedefeat to co-hosts Sri Lanka in their last Super Four game of the Asia Cup 2023, which led to them bowing out of the multi-nation event in Colombo.

After Pakistan's miserable run in Asia Cup which was eventuallywon by Team India, there were rumours of a rift in the Pakistan dressing room.

Reports said that captain Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi got into a verbal spat in the dressing room after the Sri Lanka match.

But Babar dismissed the reports while addressing the press in Lahore.

"There is no ill will in the dressing room. There are discussions after every loss but they get twisted into something else entirely," he said ahead of Pakistan's departure to India before their CWC '23 warm-up game versus New Zealand on Friday (Sep 29).

"The entire team is like a family and there is love and respect there,"Babar stated.

Following their forgettable run in the continental tournament, Pakistan dealt with a major blow as premier pacer Naseem Shah was ruled out of the CWC 2023 edition, in India.

Hasan Ali has been included in the final 15 as the Men in Green are now gearing up for the marquee 50-over World Cup in India, which commences on October 05 with defending champions England taking on New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Babar also spoke at length about the atmosphere of playing in Indian venues, stating that it would be good to exhibit their skills in front of jam-packed crowds.

While Pakistan fans will be present, they will surely be outnumbered by the Indian fans when the two Asian giants lock horns in the mega event, on October 14 in Ahmedabad.

"Unfortunately, we will be missing the fans. However, as far as I know, the games are all sold out so we will be playing in jam-packed stadiums. Although our fans will not be there, I know they will make sure their love is heard on social media. I have heard that the fans in India also show their love, although I have not experienced that as of yet but I am excited to play in India as well," Babar further added.

Pakistan play New Zealand on Friday and meet Australia on October 3 in their two warm-up games, both in Hyderabad.

The 1992 winners will remain in the same city till their opening two games in CWC 2023, locking horns with the Netherlands on October 06 and Sri Lanka on October 10.

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

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