Pakistan will play Afghanistan at the spin-friendly MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and Australia at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, according to the proposed schedule. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would prefer to play Australia in Chennai instead of Afghanistan.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has proposed that Pakistan play India in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, Pakistan has not yet approved the proposal, citing the need for government approval. This is believed to be the cause of the delay in releasing the official schedule for the major event.

According to a report from Cricket Pakistan, Pakistani analysts are examining venue data and have expressed some concerns. Some have theorized that India has purposely scheduled matches at venues where Pakistan may encounter difficulties with regard to pitch conditions and practice facilities, among other factors.

The pitch in Chennai favors spinners, which will be a challenge for Pakistan against Afghanistan, who has a potent spin attack at present. Pakistan has specifically requested that their upcoming matches against Australia and Afghanistan be relocated to Chennai and Bengaluru, respectively.

Also See | Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen slam Ben Stokes’ declaration decision

According to the proposed schedule, Pakistan’s first two qualifying matches will take place in Hyderabad on October 6 and 12. The proposed date for the encounter against India is October 15, followed by the match against Australia in Bengaluru on October 20.

The matches between Pakistan and Afghanistan and South Africa are scheduled for October 23 and 27, respectively, in Chennai. They will face Bangladesh in Kolkata on October 31 and New Zealand in Bengaluru on November 5 prior to playing England in Kolkata on November 12.

The post Pakistan seek venue swap for Afghanistan, Australia matches appeared first on Republic Aeon.

The BCCI has already provided the ICC with a proposed schedule for the World Test Championship final in 2023. According to reports, the official release of the schedule has been delayed due to Pakistan’s reluctance to play India in Ahmedabad on October 15.

According to the draft schedule published by the BCCI, the most anticipated match of the tournament will take place on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad between India and Pakistan. According to a report in ‘The Telegraph,’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan has not yet approved Ahmedabad due to security concerns.

“Since permission from the government is required for the tour, the PCB has transmitted the necessary paperwork to the relevant ministry, which is investigating the matter. “Due to the sensitivity of the situation, a decision will be made based on what the government has to say,” a source told ‘The Telegraph’.

“Before granting its approval, the PCB has been given a time limit to review the draft schedule, which it is adhering to. The Pakistan Board will assess cricketing matters pertaining to the World Cup, whereas the government and other relevant agencies are handling security and other issues,” the source added.

Also See | Asia Cup 2023 To Be Hosted By Pakistan And Sri Lanka

During ICC chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice’s visit to Lahore last month, the PCB reportedly brought up the issue. The official World Cup schedule was scheduled to be announced during the WTC Final, but the PCB objected unless the BCCI consented to their ‘hybrid model’ for the Asia Cup 2023.

PCB’s proposed ‘Hybrid’ Model for the Asia Cup is approved.

Meanwhile, the official schedule for the Asia Cup 2023 has been finalized, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka slated to host the tournament. The fixtures of the “Men in Blue” will be played in Sri Lanka. The tournament is scheduled to commence on August 31, with Pakistan hosting four matches in Lahore and Sri Lanka hosting nine.

The post Why ODI World Cup 2023 schedule is being delayed ? appeared first on Republic Aeon.

Hotstar lost the digital distribution rights to the Indian Premier League to Reliance’s Viacom18 for approximately $2.9 billion from 2023 to 2027. During the 16th edition of the tournament, the popular media company made the tournament accessible to JioCinema users for free, toppling multiple streaming records.

Hotstar’s most recent move will not only reestablish them as a significant player in the streaming industry, but it will also thwart competitors like JioCinema who are attempting to establish a monopoly in the country. According to a report by research firm CLSA, Disney has also witnessed a mass exodus from their platform, with their subscriber base decreasing by nearly 5 million users after losing the streaming rights to the IPL.

“Disney+Hotstar has remained at the forefront of the swiftly evolving OTT industry in India, and the numerous innovations we’ve introduced to continue enhancing the viewer experience have allowed us to delight our audiences throughout the region. Sajith Sivanandan, the president of Disney+Hotstar, told Exchange4 Media that making the Asia Cup and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup available to a larger audience will help to expand the company’s ecosystem.

Also See | WTC 2023: Disney+ Hotstar peaks at 1.5M concurrent Viewership

Hotstar will attract fans in 2023 with two key tournaments

India is scheduled to host the ODI World Cup later this year, whereas the venue for the impending Asia Cup is uncertain. Hotstar will take solace in the fact that JioCinema has also begun pricing for their premium content, which could assist the Disney-owned streaming platform in regaining its user base.

The post Hotstar to stream Asia Cup and ODI World Cup for free appeared first on Republic Aeon.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee has announced a 15-man squad that will travel to Zimbabwe for the upcoming ODI World Cup Qualifiers. The Sri Lankan delegation approved by Roshan Ranasinghe, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, will depart for Africa on June 10.

Notably, the SLC also verified that consultant coach and former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene will travel with the national team for the crucial qualifiers. SLC also confirmed that a limited support staff will be sent for the qualifiers, with more members added if the team qualifies for the 2023 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be contested in India in October-November.

“We can only dispatch a small number of support staff to Zimbabwe. Prof. Arjuna de Silva, chairman of the SLC medical panel, was quoted by The Daily Mirror as saying, “Yes, if our team qualifies for the World Cup, we will make every effort to send them.”

The Sri Lankan Lions are headed to the important ICC competition on the heels of a 2-1 victory over Afghanistan in the recently concluded three-match ODI series at home. The World Cup Qualifiers are scheduled to begin on June 18 and the finals are scheduled for July 9.

Sri Lanka is placed in Group B alongside Ireland, Oman, Scotland, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, ten nations are participating in the Qualifiers, whose winners will earn spots in the ODI World Cup in India.

Also See | ‘We’re going to play without fear’ – Ben Stokes

On June 13 and 15, the team led by Dasun Shanaka will play two warm-up matches against the Netherlands and the United States, respectively. The Sri Lankan Lions will commence their group phase campaign against the UAE on Monday, June 19.

Sri Lanka squad for ODI World Cup Qualifiers 

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc & wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha

The post Sri Lanka announces 15-member squad for ODI World Cup Qualifiers appeared first on Republic Aeon.