Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly requested a venue swap for its matches against Afghanistan and Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup, slated to be held in India in October-November.

As per the draft, Pakistan are due to face Afghanistan in Chennai while their game against Australia is slated to be held in Bangalore.

Apparently, the PCB analysts have studied data for Babar Azam’s side heading into the marquee tournament. Subsequently, the board requested to relocate their match against Australia to Chennai and their game against Afghanistan to Bengaluru.

The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is known for assisting spinners. Since Afghanistan have the likes of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman in their ranks, Pakistan proposed a request for venue swap.

Amid the reports, veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is unlikely to entertain PCB’s bizarre demand.

“Pakistan, in their request letter itself, have mentioned that conditions will favour Afghanistan in Chennai. So, by changing venues, it plays into an advantage for Pakistan. So, I highly doubt that ICC will pay heed to this request,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

“Maybe if Pakistan have given some valid security reasons, then it might be shifted. Another important thing. Pakistan’s interesting request to switch venues. The fixture now is, Pakistan playing Australia in Bangalore and Afghanistan in Chennai. They want the venues interchanged,” he added.

Earlier, it was also reported that the PCB doesn’t want Pakistan’s World Cup games to be played in Ahmedabad unless it is a knock-out fixture like final.

On the other hand, the ICC is pushing for the India versus Pakistan World Cup clash to be held in Ahmedabad. The apex body has cited the importance of revenue to stage the high-octane clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which has a capacity of 100,000 spectators.

ICC is expected to make the official announcement on the fixture on June 27.