Ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023 schedule announcement, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had expressed their displeasure over playing India in Ahmedabad. When Najam Sethi was the PCB chairperson, he objected the venue ‘due to political reasons’. He even called it ‘a tactic to ensure Pakistan doesn’t participate in the tournament’. However, the board has now given the green signal for the venue.
Apart from this, they also wanted to swap venues for the matches against Afghanistan and Australia. However, the Apex Council and the Indian Cricket Board, being the host, rejected the idea. Meanwhile, former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has said that there should be no issue for his national side to play anywhere.
“There’s no issue with it. Pakistan will play wherever they are assigned to play. Simple. This unnecessary stress of ‘we won’t play in Ahmedabad’…you ask Pakistani players, they don’t care wherever their schedule comes,” Akram told reporters.
“I’m all for egos. If you have an ego and understand that what’s happening is wrong, then speak up. But again, move on then. Always plan it, always think if we can do it? Can we finish what we’ve planned to do? If we can’t, then don’t do this. It ends up becoming a cause for laughter.
We’re all patriotic for our country. And they will be for their country. No doubt about it. But at the end of the day, it’s only a game. Governments will speak to each other, that’s their problem,” the former Pakistan international added.
Pakistan Cricket Board needs permission from government to play the World Cup
“The PCB requires the Government of Pakistan’s clearance for any tour to India, including the match venues. This position is consistent to what we had told the ICC a couple of weeks ago when they shared with us the draft schedule and sought our feedback,” a PCB spokesperson told GeoTV.
