 |
| file |
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not "comfortable" about playing against certain teams in certain venues during the ODI World Cup in India, including against Afghanistan in Chennai and against Australia in Bengaluru. The impasse over the holding of the Asia Cup has ended and Pakistan is expected to visit India for the World Cup to be held in October-November. The much-awaited match between India and Pakistan is likely to take place in Ahmedabad on 15 October.
Before announcing the World Cup schedule, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has sought suggestions from all member boards, including the PCB, on the proposed schedule. A reliable source in the PCB told PTI that the board's statistics, analyst and team strategy specialist has been tasked with approving the venues where the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have decided to host matches against Pakistan during the prestigious 50-over tournament. A tentative program of the matches has been prepared.
The source said, "The PCB has sent the team's tentative schedule to the selectors/experts who are probably not comfortable with the schedule and venue of some matches of the Pakistan team." Like they have objections to playing Afghanistan in Chennai and Australia in Bengaluru." Performed well in 2023 from Gujarat Titans.
The Bangalore pitch is generally batting friendly and it is difficult to understand why Pakistan has any objection to playing Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. A PCB source said that the selectors have advised the board not to accept Chennai as the venue against Afghanistan as it is a venue which is historically and statistically favorable to spinners.
"The suggestion to the board is to ask the ICC/BCCI to reschedule Pakistan's matches and play Afghanistan in Bengaluru and Australia in Chennai according to the strengths of the team," the source claimed. The source said that it is part of protocol for the ICC to seek suggestions from members on the venue and there should be a solid reason for the change of venue.
The source said, “The member boards can ask for a change of venue for security reasons like Pakistan did in 2016 when they came to India for the T20 World Cup. If you start objecting to the venue according to the strong and weak sides of your team, then it will be extremely difficult to finalize the programme.
