Press Trust of India stated on Tuesday that the majority of Pakistan’s 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup matches would be preferred to be played in the Indian cities of Chennai and Kolkata, where the squad reportedly felt comfortable during its previous travels.
In all, 12 cities in India—including Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Rajkot, Bangalore, Delhi, Indore, Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Dharamasala—will host World Cup matches. The tournament is scheduled to get underway on October 5.
Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been in contact with ICC executive
Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly been in contact with a high-ranking ICC executive in an effort to resolve the contentious issue.
Under the condition of anonymity, a source close to the ICC Board who is monitoring developments said to PTI, “A lot would rely on what BCCI and the Indian government decide, but given a choice, Pakistan would like to play most of its World Cup matches in Kolkata and Chennai.”
When Pakistan played India in 2016 for the T20 World Cup in Kolkata, the players were pleased with the safety measures taken to protect them. Similarly, Pakistan will never forget the experience of playing in Chennai. Feeling secure in public spaces is also important.
The match between India and Pakistan will be the source of tension. With a capacity of 132,000, Ahmedabad offers the ICC the best chance to maximize revenues, but the Narendra Modi Stadium is already scheduled to host the final.
The league stage will be played in a round robin format with each side playing the other eight times.
The International Cricket Council’s Events Committee, working with the BCCI as the host organization, will finalize the schedule in the coming months. This will allow cricket fans all around India and the world to begin making travel plans.
ICC General Manager Wasim Khan, speaking in his personal position, recently suggested to Pakistani media that the team play its matches in Bangladesh as part of a “hybrid model” that may be implemented in light of the fact that the Indian team will not be in the nation for the Asia Cup.
But, back then, Najam Sethi, who was serving as head of the PCB’s interim Management Committee, completely dismissed the concept of hosting World Cup games in Bangladesh. However, ICC had already said unequivocally that Pakistan had not submitted any proposal for a “hybrid model” of international competitions.
Pakistan’s semi-final match against India at the 2011 Cricket World Cup was held at Mohali, making it easy for Indian fans to enter the border at Wagah. The BCCI has settled on 12 different locations, but Mohali is not one of them. The famous 1996 quarterfinal was played at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.
A lot has changed since then, and it will be tough to host Pakistan at certain places like Mumbai and Dharamsala due to the sensitivity of the situation.
The BCCI and the Indian government are taking precautions to safeguard the safety of all teams in the tournament.
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