Pakistan will play India in Ahmedabad and Afghanistan in Chennai.
As per the schedule, the highly-anticipated India versus Pakistan encounter will be staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium on October 15 despite the PCB expressing apprehension about facing the arch-rivals in Ahmedabad.
After the drafted World Cup schedule, the PCB also requested a venue swap for its matches against Afghanistan and Australia.
However, the appeal has been declined by the ICC as Pakistan will face Australia in Bengaluru on October 20 while their game against Afghanistan is slated to be held in Chennai on October 23.
Amid the recent development, former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has said that there should be no discussion around the conditions and venues for Pakistan’s World Cup campaign.
“Conditions, venues shouldn’t be a concern for teams anymore. These things shouldn’t happen in international cricket. Today, India beat Australia, South Africa, New Zealand on their own turf. We shouldn’t be making excuses like why we are playing against Afghanistan in Chennai, or India in Ahmedabad. Your focus should be on cricket only,” Akmal said during an interview with paktv.tv.
“It’s my request to board members, stop doing making such low-standard requests. The level of international cricket has advanced now. Players should be proud of their achievements, they should know what the fans and the board expect from them. You shouldn’t say such things and instead pull down the level of your cricket,” he added.
PCB was also reluctant to play at the Wankhede Stadium, citing security reasons and the apex body has considered it by not scheduling any of Pakistan’s league stage matches in Mumbai.
In its press release, the ICC mentioned that if Pakistan qualify for the semi-final then they will play in Kolkata regardless of their position in the points table at the end of the league stage.
Meanwhile, legendary pacer Wasim Akram has stated that there is no issue with the venue and Pakistan will play their games wherever they are asked to.
“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 end of the day, it’s only a game. Governments will speak to each other, that’s their problem,” he added.
(The Indian Express Inputs)