Pakistan begin final preparations for T20 World Cup - in pictures

Men in green's first match of tournament in UAE is against India on October 24

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam (C) plays a shot during a team practice session at the City Cricket Association (ACCA) ground in Lahore on October 11, 2021 ahead of the ICC men's Twenty20 cricket World Cup. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan, left, and captain Babar Azam during training in Lahore for the T20 World Cup. AFP

Babar Azam at the City Cricket Association ground in Lahore. AFP

Pakistan's Shadab Khan attempts to catch the ball during training. AFP

Pakistan's Imad Wasim trains in Lahore. AFP

Mohammad Rizwan trains in Lahore for the T20 World Cup. AFP

Pakistan players warm-up in Lahore. AFP

Pakistan players train for the T20 World Cup. AFP

Pakistan will feature in the T20 World Cup in the UAE. AFP

It's almost showtime for the T20 World Cup and players are busy fine-tuning their game for the main event in the UAE.

The tournament's first round begins on October 17 but the top teams start on October 23. So there is not a lot of time for teams, especially those like Pakistan, to iron out any flaws.

Pakistan's bumper home season was supposed to see white-ball matches against New Zealand and England right before the World Cup. But a mysterious security alert saw New Zealand pull out from the tour barely an hour before the first match, while England cited bubble fatigue as their reason to call off a four-day visit that included two T20s.

Pakistan's players are not allowed in the Indian Premier League, owing to political objections in India, and that has meant all World Cup-bound players were sent back to domestic cricket to get much-needed match experience.

Pakistan players began training in Lahore and they will have extra motivation for the T20 event in UAE. Their first match of the tournament is on October 24 — against India. And right after the biggest match in world cricket, they will face New Zealand on October 26, which some fans believe will be a more emotional and high-stakes contest for Pakistan given their controversial tour pullout.