Amid the tussle between the BCCI and PCB over the hosting of Asia Cup 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has received no written assurance from the Pakistan board over its national team's participation in the ODI World Cup in India later this year.
"India coming to Pakistan and Pakistan going to India doesn't depend either on BCCI or PCB. So, PCB can't give any assurance to ICC about its participation in the global event.
"It is the Pakistan government that will give approval just like in case of BCCI, it can only come to PCB subject to government clearance," an ICC board member privy to developments told PTI on May 10.
While the schedule for the 50-over World Cup is yet to be released, there are reports claiming that the high-octane India versus Pakistan clash in the showpiece tournament will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Apparently, Pakistan are likely to play most of their matches in southern Indian cities like Bengaluru and Chennai.
Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has decided to shift the Asia Cup 2023 out of Pakistan. The call was made after PCB's proposal to host the event on a 'hybrid model' was rejected by the member nations.
After BCCI’s refusal to travel to Pakistan citing lack of government clearance, PCB proposed ‘Hybrid Model’ to host the tournament. In such a model, Pakistan would have played their matches in homeland while India would have played their games in UAE.
According to the report published in PTI, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh expressed their reservations about travelling to and fro between Pakistan and UAE should they qualify for the Super Fours.
Sri Lanka has emerged as a front-runner to host the continental tournament as extremely humid conditions in UAE in the month of September could lead to injuries to players. However, an ACC source confirmed that if the competition is shifted to Sri Lanka, Pakistan will not feature in it.
"Mr Sethi did try to convince the members that 'Hybrid Mode' can be commercially more viable but I can tell you that it is a logistical nightmare for cricketers of other nations travelling between Pakistan and UAE every second day,” the ACC source quoted as saying by PTI.
"The ACC would request Pakistan to keep their hosting rights but if they don't agree then the continental championship will be a five-team affair," he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
