Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said Wednesday his team "was not expecting" the warm reception they have received in India, claiming "it's like we are at home".

Factfile on Pakistan captain Babar Azam ahead of the Cricket World Cup which gets underway in India on Thursday:

Indian ministries have yet to approve visas for spectators hoping to attend the seven week mega-event starting October 5, according to Pakistan media reports

Pakistan's stranglehold at the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Batter Rankings is under threat after a large group of India players made ground on the latest update following their unbeaten start to the Asia Cup.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said that he learned a lot from former India captain Virat Kohli as the two prepare to take the field in a mouth-watering Asia Cup clash in Pallekele today.

"India-Pakistan will always bring high intensity. We want to give 100% in every match, hope to do that there as well."

World number one batter Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed scored punishing hundreds as Pakistan annihilated Nepal by 238 runs in the opening game of the Asia Cup in Multan on Wednesday.

World number one batter Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed scored punishing hundreds as Pakistan reached 342-6 against Nepal in the opening game of the Asia Cup in Multan on Wednesday.

From the remaining five players from respective participants, one more pacer made the cut: pacer Jasprit Bumrah of India. Here is the full list of players to watch:

“Whenever you achieve the No.1 spot, it gives you a lot of joy,” Babar said after the final ODI

That would prove a huge boost for Pakistan on the eve of this year's 50-over showcase, with Babar's side among the favourites to claim a second World Cup title in India this year.

Kohli conveyed his admiration and recalled his first meeting with Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam in an interaction with Star Sports

Allrounder Faheem Ashraf has been recalled to a strong Pakistan squad for the three-match series against Afghanistan and subsequent Asia Cup, selectors announced Wednesday.

According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to provide a significant salary increase to its cricketers through updated central contracts. This development arises amidst ongoing discussions between the PCB and the country’s cricket players regarding their involvement in various T20 Leagues abroad.

Noman returned career-best figures of 7-70 in his 15th Test as Sri Lanka suffered their heaviest Test defeat at home

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said on Thursday his team's latest Test hero Saud Shakeel had stepped up his game and showcased new shots in his match-winning unbeaten 208 against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and his teammate Mohammad Rizwan's executive education programme on the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports, making them the first cricketers to attend the the Harvard Business School.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and his deputy Mohammad Rizwan are set to become the first cricketers from the country to join Harvard Business School’s executive education program.

Babar Azam revealed of having coined the ‘Chacha’ nickname for Iftikhar Ahmad and the Pakistan captain praised the middle-order batter after his unbeaten 72-ball 95 went in vain during Pakistan’s 47-run loss against New Zealand in fifth and final ODI in Karachi on Sunday.

The hosts beat a depleted New Zealand 4-1 in the five-match series and on their way briefly reached the top of the one-day rankings for the first time.