Pakistan go into the Cricket World Cup as the No2 ranked ODI side and with dreams of lifting the trophy for the first time since 1992.

Despite failing to reach the final of this year's Asia Cup following defeats to both India and Sri Lanka, the Green Shirts have impressed in the 50-over format during the last 12 months.

A 4-1 series victory over New Zealand in April and May was followed by a convincing 3-0 triumph over Afghanistan last month. 

With one of the best fast-bowling units on the international circuit, Pakistan are a team who should not be underestimated by any of their opponents.

Squad

Pakistan's 15-player World Cup squad: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.

Fixtures

October 6, 9.30am: Netherlands (Hyderabad)

October 10, 9.30am: Sri Lanka (Hyderabad)

October 14, 9.30am: India (Ahmedabad)

October 20, 9.30am: Australia (Bengaluru)

October 23, 9.30am: Afghanistan (Chennai)

October 27, 9.30am: South Africa (Chennai)

October 31, 8.30am: Bangladesh (Kolkata)

November 4, 5.00am: New Zealand (Bengaluru)

November 11, 8.30am: England (Kolkata)

The skipper

Babar Azam enters the World Cup stage as the No1 ranked batsman in the ODI format by the ICC, with 43 more points than India's Shubman Gill in second.

The 28-year-old Pakistan captain, who took on the leadership role in 2020, averages 58.16 with the blade from his 108 matches — a superior record to that of Virat Kohli (57.38).

Azam has 19 centuries to his name, with the latest of them a 151-run masterpiece against Nepal in the opening round of the Asia Cup.

However, there are concerns over his ability as captain following reports of a rift in the camp after the defeat to Sri Lanka in Colombo on September 14.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi urged Azam to focus more on his leadership skills ahead of the World Cup.

He said: "My issue is, you've been leading the side for three years. Come on. There are professionals around you.

"Talk to them and improve your captaincy. You're a big player, but you would want people to also remember you as captain."

One to watch: Haris Rauf

With Naseem Shah unavailable for the World Cup due to a shoulder injury, Haris Rauf will have an even more important role to play in leading Pakistan's bowling attack.

The Rawalpindi native may even take the new ball alongside the talismanic figure of Shaheen Afridi and show off his ability to exceed 95mph in the powerplay.

Rauf's blistering pace makes him a prominent wicket taker and partnership breaker throughout an innings, with the 29-year-old claiming 53 scalps in just 28 ODIs at an impressive average of 24.32.

He particularly excels at the death, where his ability to land fast and accurate yorkers can restrict even the best batsmen from hitting boundaries in the final overs.