There is a lot of buzz surrounding the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
As per the schedule released by the ICC last month, the high-voltage India versus Pakistan encounter will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15. Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata are the other four venues where Pakistan’s matches have been allocated.
Meanwhile, there are reports claiming that the PCB is pushing for the country's ODI World Cup matches to be played at neutral venues as the BCCI refused to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.
Earlier this month, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also set-up a high level committee consisting of ministers, including Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, to decide on the country’s participation in the ODI World Cup in India.
Amid the recent development, former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has opined that the Pakistan team should travel to India while also adding that not sending the side for the marquee event would be “depriving people” of the opportunity to see the arch-rivals clash on the biggest stage.
“When there can be contacts between the two countries in other sports, why not in cricket. Why link cricket with political relations? It is unfair to deprive people of a chance to see their teams play against each other,” said Misbah at a function in Karachi on Friday (July 15).
“It is great injustice to the fans who follow Pakistan and Indian cricket a lot,” he added.
The last time the Men in Green travelled to India was in 2016 for the T20 World Cup while the Men in Blue haven’t toured Pakistan since 2008.
Misbah said it’s about time Pakistan should go to India and the Indian team should also come to Pakistan to play matches.
“Certainly Pakistan should be playing in the World Cup even in India,” he stated. “The many times I have played in India, we have enjoyed the pressure and crowds there. Because it gives you motivation and conditions in India suit us. Our team has the capability to do well in Indian conditions.”
Misbah also advised Babar Azam and his men to shut the outside noise and just focus on cricket.
“What is happening outside their sphere they should not think about it. The key to doing well in the World Cup in India is to get the playing XIs right at particular venues and against particular opposition.”
Pakistan are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign against Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6.
(With PTI Inputs)
