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'It Gives You An Idea..'- Waqar Younis Explains Importance Of Warm-Up Matches

image-ln2pdytrFormer Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis | Source: X.com

With just a week left until the ICC World Cup 2023 kicks off, all ten participating teams are making their way to India for this prestigious event. They will also engage in a series of warm-up matches before officially starting their World Cup journey. 

The Pakistan team arrived in India on Wednesday, September 27, and they were warmly greeted at Hyderabad airport. They have a couple of warm-up matches planned against New Zealand on September 29 and October 3 before they kick off their tournament campaign against the Netherlands on October 6. 

Meanwhile, before the action kicks off, the legendary fast bowler, former Waqar Younis, has highlighted the importance of warm-up games before a big event like the World Cup. He mentioned that these games provide a good understanding of conditions and help players work on their weaknesses. 

Here’s what Waqar Younis told Star Sports: 

“Warm-up matches give you an idea about the conditions because you are going to play in another country. It gives you an idea about the conditions of the pitches when you play the warm-up games. Then, if you have some weaknesses in your team, you try to fix those things by playing these games.” 

The Pakistan pacer also pointed out that since warm-up games don't carry the burden of winning or losing, players can approach them with a sense of freedom. This freedom allows them to acknowledge and address their weaknesses effectively before entering big tournaments like the World Cup.

"The intensity and pressure do not remain the same as the actual matches. Thus, there are no worries of winning or losing the game, so due to not having that kind of pressure, you can fluently work on your weaknesses. So, I feel every team has already made some plans around these warm-up matches and also will keep an eye on the teams which they will play against because they have to play big matches after these warm-up games with those opponents.” 

"So, they will get to know their weaknesses and can exploit them accordingly. I think warm-up matches, as I said, there will be not that kind of intensity, but obviously, you can work on your weaknesses and make your game better.” 

India, the hosts and champions in 1983 and 2011, are set to take on defending champions England in Guwahati for a warm-up match on September 30. Following that, they will face the Netherlands on October 3. 

The ICC World Cup 2023 begins on October 5, with the opening match featuring the reigning champions, England, against New Zealand, who were the finalists last time. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match will be played on October 14 at Narendra Modi Stadium.