Ashish Ranjan
BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and ICC (International Cricket Council) published the much-anticipated schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in Mumbai on Tuesday, June 27. The India-Pakistan match will be contested at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, despite the PCB’s objections.
In a new development, PCB stated that it requires permission from the Pakistani government in order to travel to India and participate in the marquee event. Since 2013, India and Pakistan have not had bilateral cricketing connections. The last bilateral series between the two teams was in 2012-13; since then, they have only met in international competitions.
Cricbuzz cited a PCB spokesperson as saying, “The PCB requires clearance from the Government of Pakistan for any tour to India, including the match venues.”The source added that they are in communication with their government and will update the ICC once they receive a response.
“We have reached out to our administration for direction, and once we receive a response, we will inform the Event Authority (ICC). This position is consistent with what we conveyed to the ICC a few weeks ago when they shared the proposed schedule with us and solicited our feedback,” the spokesperson added.
However, the ICC and BCCI are optimistic that Pakistan will travel to India.
One of PCB’s concerns was that the India-Pakistan match would be played in Ahmedabad. They had requested to play instead in Chennai or Bengaluru. In addition, they demanded that the hosts, BCCI and ICC, transfer the currently scheduled matches in Chennai and Bengaluru against Afghanistan and Australia.
“Pakistan have signed a participation agreement to compete, and we expect them to be there, as there have been no indications to the contrary,” a world body spokesperson said.”We recognize that all members must abide by the rules and regulations of their country. We are confident, however, that Pakistan will be in India for the Men’s Cricket World Cup,” the spokesperson said.
Since the beginning of the year, the PCB and the BCCI have been at odds regarding the finalization of the Asia Cup 2023 venue. In response to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, Pakistan threatened to withdraw from the World Cup.
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If Pakistan qualify, their semi-final will be played in Kolkata
The two boards have eventually reached a compromise regarding the continental tournament, which will be held in a hybrid format with India playing all of their matches in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s league matches will be played in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. The BCCI and ICC have also made it plain that Pakistan’s semifinal will take place in Kolkata if they qualify for the knockout round.
