The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that it will require government approval before confirming its participation in the World Cup. This answer came after the World Cup schedule was released on Tuesday in Mumbai. The PCB’s pleas and concerns appear to have gone unheeded in the World Cup schedule.
“The PCB requires clearance from the Government of Pakistan for any tour to India, including match venues,” said a representative for the Pakistan board in a statement issued shortly after the World Cup schedule was released.
“We are in contact with our government for guidance, and once we receive a response, we will notify the Event Authority (ICC).” This position is consistent with what we stated to the ICC a few weeks ago when they shared the draft schedule with us and asked for feedback,” the official continued. However, no indication of their feelings about the final show was provided.
Nonetheless, insiders at the ICC and BCCI have expressed confidence that the Pakistan team will visit India.
One of the PCB’s concerns was the upcoming India-Pakistan match in Ahmedabad. Instead, they expressed a desire to play in Chennai or Bengaluru. They also demanded that the hosts, the BCCI and the ICC, reschedule their games against Afghanistan and Australia, which are currently planned in Chennai and Bengaluru.
The ICC, on the other hand, stated that it has received no indication from the PCB and reiterated that the Pakistan board is a signatory to the members’ participation agreement. “Pakistan has signed a participation agreement to compete, and we expect them to be there and have had no indications to the contrary,” a global organization spokesperson said.
“All Members must follow their country’s rules and laws, and we respect that.” “However, we are confident that Pakistan will participate in the Men’s Cricket World Cup in India,” the official continued.
The BCCI and the PCB have been at odds over the dates of multi-national events such as the Asia Cup. The PCB was forced to cave in to pressure from the Asian boards, led by the BCCI, and agree to a hybrid concept for the continental tournament, with matches distributed unfairly between Pakistan (four) and Sri Lanka (nine).
Pakistan will begin their campaign against Qualifier 1 on October 6 in Hyderabad. On October 12, there will be a match against Qualifier 2. The high-profile match against India is planned for October 15 in Ahmedabad. Pakistan’s other matches are against Australia in Bengaluru on October 20, Afghanistan in Chennai on October 23, South Africa in Chennai on October 27, Bangladesh in Kolkata on October 31, New Zealand in Bengaluru on November 4, and England in Kolkata on November 12.
The BCCI and ICC have stated unequivocally that if Pakistan advances to the semifinals, their match will be played in Kolkata, even if their opponents are India, who have picked Mumbai as their semifinal location if they get to that stage.
