The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly uncertain about sending the Pakistan team for the ICC World Cup 2023 as they are yet to receive clearance from the Pakistan government.
The ICC on Tuesday announced the fixtures for the October 5-November 19 tournament and rejected PCB's request to not schedule their matches in Chennai and Bengaluru against specific teams.
Pakistan had reportedly asked the ICC and BCCI to swap the venues of their World Cup matches against Afghanistan and Australia which will be played at Chennai and Bengaluru respectively.
The PCB didn’t wanted Pakistan to play Afghanistan on a spin-friendly Chepauk pitch and Australia on the batting heaven Bengaluru strip.
In addition, they also didn’t want to play India in their marquee match in Ahmedabad, citing security concerns in the city.
But the BCCI and ICC refused their requests and the schedule for the World Cup remains unchanged. The only respite they got is that if Pakistan qualifies for the semifinal, they will play in Kolkata, even if the match is against India.
Soon after the announcement, the PCB made it clear that its participation in the ODI World Cup will be subject to government clearance.
The PCB spokesman stated that as it was a delicate matter, the Board could only proceed after receiving clear instructions from its government. The government has not yet given the PCB a NOC to fly to India.
"Our participation in the World Cup and our playing in Ahmedabad on October 15 or in Mumbai, if we qualify for semi-finals, will all be dependent on government clearance. Our participation in the World Cup and us playing in Ahmedabad on October 15 or in Mumbai, if we qualify for semi-finals will all be dependent on government clearance,” the PCB official said.
However, the ICC has reportedly told PTI that Pakistan have a signed participation agreement to compete and the world governing body "100% expects them to be there and has had no indications to the contrary".
"All members have to abide by the rules and the laws of their country and we respect that. But we're confident Pakistan will be in India for the men's cricket World Cup," an ICC spokesperson told PTI.
It was expected of the ICC to reject Pakistan's request to move two matches because it typically tackles issues about locations with possible security threats rather than on cricketing grounds.
It is unclear how the Board will respond to the release of the World Cup schedule because the elections for PCB chairman have been delayed at least until July 17.
(PTI inputs)
