Rizwan scored 131 not out and in the company of opener Abdullah Shafique (113) set the platform for chasing a daunting 345-run target with 10 balls to spare.

Meet Chacha Mohammad Basheer, likely the only native Pakistan supporter inside the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium where his beloved team began their World Cup campaign on Friday.

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".

The 24-year-old is leading Pakistan's spin attack that has come under severe criticism for not taking wickets in the middle overs

"I used to come home after training and he would take my pads and somehow wear them to bed," said elder brother Riaz, a decent player himself with one Test cap to his name.

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

Middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been added to Pakistan's Asia Cup squad with Tayyab Tahir named as the travelling reserve

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.

Chasing 301 for a series clinching win, Pakistan reached their destination with one ball to spare, riding on Imam-ul-Haq’s 105-ball 91.

Inzamam, who was Pakistan men's chief selector between 2016 and 2019, has once again been brought on board ahead of the Asia Cup and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup to be held in India

“Zaka Ashraf will bring up the issue of why can’t Pakistan’s matches in the World Cup be played at neutral venues when the Indian team can’t travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup,” he said

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.

The Pakistan opener hit 17 boundaries and six massive sixes during his unbeaten knock of 180 not out as the Asian side successfully chased down New Zealand's healthy total of 336-5 with 10 deliveries to spare

Khan, a former cricketer who led Pakistan in the World Cup win in 1992, termed Babar as an outstanding batter, while highlighting his impressive batting prowess.

The 58-ball ton was Babar's third T20I ton. Notably, he is the only Pakistan batter with more than one hundred in the format. The hundred puts Babar close to the top of the list of batters with most T20I tons

Shaheen, who will turn 23 on Thursday, hurt his knee during the final of Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in November last year

Babar and Rizwan were rested for the ongoing three-game series against Afghanistan in Sharjah as a host of players with less experience and fewer credentials were given the chance to shine in the absence of the ultra-reliable top-order pair

At a time when most of his former teammates have retired from the sport and switched professions, the 40-year-old Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has rubbished the notions of age slowing players down as he is still going strong delivering standout performances for the teams he plays for around the world.

Pakistan spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan has entered a new phase of his life. Shadab has got married to veteran Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq's daughter.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is dejected by the team's winless home season but refuses to blame players' injuries or unresponsive pitches for their lean run.