The much-anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place in India from October 5 to November 23. While the official schedule is yet to be released, the upcoming tournament has already garnered significant attention. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is still awaiting confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup.
In a recent turn of events, the PCB made an unusual request to the ICC, asking for a change in venues for two of their matches in the World Cup. According to the draft schedule, Pakistan is slated to play against Australia at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, followed by a match against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
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The PCB, without providing a specific reason, has requested a venue change for both matches. Reports suggest that Pakistan desires to have a favorable advantage in these games. Ravichandran Ashwin, a veteran Indian all-rounder, expressed his views on the matter, considering the request bizarre. He mentioned that if the PCB had cited security concerns as the cause for the venue change, the ICC might have given more consideration to the request.
“Pakistan, in their request letter itself, have mentioned that conditions will favor Afghanistan in Chennai. So, by changing venues, it plays into an advantage for Pakistan. So, I highly doubt that the ICC will heed to this request. Maybe if Pakistan have given some valid security reasons, then it might be shifted,” stated Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
He further emphasized the significance of security reasons when it comes to ICC’s consideration of venue requests. Ashwin recalled an incident from the 2016 T20 World Cup when the match between India and Pakistan, initially scheduled to be held in Dharamsala, was moved to Kolkata due to security concerns. This example highlights that valid security reasons can influence the ICC’s decision regarding venue changes.
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In summary, the PCB’s unusual request to change venues for their World Cup matches has raised eyebrows. While the ICC awaits Pakistan’s confirmation for the tournament, the board’s request lacks a specific reason, making it unlikely that the venues will be altered. Security concerns have traditionally been a significant factor in such decisions, as demonstrated in the past.
