Former India pacer Atul Wassan has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for trying to cherry-pick their venues for the ICC World Cup 2023 (CWC 2023) in India, stating that they can't do so, given that it is an ICC event.
The PCB had urged and demanded that the big-ticket match between India and Pakistan should not be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, ever since the draft schedule was leaked. The largest stadium in the world seats almost 1,30,000 people and is the perfect site to host this big encounter.
The opening game of the World Cup is scheduled to place at the same venue on October 5 with a match between defending champions England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
The PCB’s demands for Ahmedabad not to be a venue for their league stage match against India and venue swap for Afghanistan and Australia matches were rejected by the ICC and BCCI.
"The World Cup final should be hosted in Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi stadium as it is one of the finest stadiums in the world. The schedule was due to be announced and as far as India versus Pakistan match is concerned, it is about whether Pakistan wants to play in Ahmedabad or not. Why would not they play because it is Gujarat?
Pakistan is trying to cherry-pick the venues for their matches, which they should not. It is not possible. It is an ICC event. ICC and BCCI are on the same page (about the schedule). The match should happen at Narendra Modi Stadium," said Wassan to ANI.
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"Pakistan cannot choose if they have a problem. India said that we would not play in Asia Cup as our government has decided due to security reasons. I am all for not playing bilateral series with them till relationships do not improve. But it is a multi-team tournament, we will have to play Pakistan at Asia Cup. If Pakistan says they would not come then do not come. But for them coming to India is a matter of survival for their country and cricket. There are so many in Pakistan running cricket whether it is their Army, PCB, or government. Sometimes their decisions are nationalistic and they try adding anti-India sentiment to it for popularity among people," he added.
"So, politics is always involved. Anyhow the venues decided are historical like Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. Ahmedabad is there already which is the largest stadium in the world with the kind of world-class infrastructure we have. It is a six-week tournament. I think Pakistan have already announced the team three months before but India would like to play a few One-day matches. A few of our players are injured and they will announce the team once it is fit," he added.
Wassan said that there is a lot of hype around India and Pakistan matches and people talk more about the India-Pakistan matches than the World Cup itself but now things are changing.
"It is a World Cup other teams are also coming. India-Pakistan relationship is politicized then they (people) relate it with cricket. But things are getting better slowly and all that hype is slowing down with the way we are growing as an economy. Indian economy is thriving the Indian cricket is thriving. Pakistan has its issues. So, we feel pity for Pakistan. I do not think it is a rivalry. We can win or lose. Neither beating them gives us that joy nor losing to them gives us that disappointment," the former fast bowler said.
On India's campaign opener with Australia on October 8, Wassan said that Aussies are a great opposition.
“Australia is one of the contenders for the tournament. They have a clear mindset. They are good in Indian conditions. England will also be another contender since they have a lot of confidence. Australian players know the Chennai conditions due to IPL. Home advantage is with India. In day-night matches, the dew factor will be there," said Wassan.
India and Australia will play their league game in Chennai.
(ANI inputs)
