The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to switch the Men in Green side's venues for the 2023 World Cup matches against Afghanistan and Australia has been turned down by the International Cricket Board (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The leaked ICC World Cup 2023 schedule in Pakistani media showed that Pakistan was set to play its league stage matches against Afghanistan and Australia at Chennai and Bengaluru respectively. The PCB asked the ICC to switch the two venues after the draft schedule of the World Cup was shared with the participating boards.
According to Cricbuzz, the ICC and BCCI met on Tuesday, June 20, and officially informed the PCB of their decision. These two organisations are hosting the World Cup in October-November.
Reports had cited that Pakistan was concerned about facing Afghanistan in Chennai which has a spin-friendly wicket and Afghanistan has a couple of very good spinners in Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Bengaluru, on the other hand, has a batting-friendly track on which Pakistani bowlers would find it hard to contain the mighty Australian batting.
Other than that, PCB considered Chennai and Bengaluru as the safest options to play their games.
However, the ICC and the BCCI have stated that there is no reason to alter the venues at this stage. The venue selection, as it stands, is the prerogative of the hosts (BCCI), and the ICC's approval is required for any changes.
Additionally, a change of venue can only be considered if there are security issues or if a specific location is deemed unfit for international cricket.
Former PCB chief Najam Sethi had also expressed concerns about playing India in Ahmedabad, but that request has not been entertained either.
However, venues have been changed in the past as in 2016, the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup encounter was moved from Dharamshala to Kolkata due to security reasons.
The full schedule is yet to be released, but reports have stated that India and Pakistan are scheduled to clash on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, which will host the opening encounter as well on October 5 between New Zealand and England.
The final is also scheduled in Ahmedabad on November 19.
The schedule is expected to be announced during an event in Mumbai next week.
(Cricbuzz report)
