The 2023 ODI World Cup, set to be held in India, is definitely the biggest event in cricket calendar this year.
However, Pakistan's participation in the tournament is in a bit of limbo, due to the political tensions with India. But it is expected that they travel to India in October.
The schedule for the World Cup was released on Tuesday, with India set to play Pakistan at Ahmedabad on October 15.
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But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wanted their match against India relocated from the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to another venue, as well as their matches against Afghanistan in Chennai and Australia in Bengaluru due to pitch conditions.
However, as per former captain Wasim Akram, Pakistan will play at the venue assigned to them.
'Pakistan will play wherever they are assigned': Wasim Akram
Speaking to reporters, Akram said that Pakistan players are not too worried about where they have to play and will comply with the current World Cup schedule and venues.
"There’s no issue with it. Pakistan will play wherever they are assigned to play. Simple. This unnecessary stress of ‘we won’t play in Ahmedabad’…you ask Pakistani players, they don’t care wherever their schedule comes," said Akram.
"I’m all for egos. If you have an ego and understand that what’s happening is wrong, then speak up. But again, move on then. Always plan it, always think if we can do it? Can we finish what we’ve planned to do? If we can’t, then don’t do this. It ends up becoming a cause for laughter. We’re all patriotic for our country. And they will be for their country. No doubt about it. But end of the day, it’s only a game. Governments will speak to each other, that’s their problem."
ICC rejects Pakistan's request to relocate World Cup games in India
An ICC spokesperson told PTI that Pakistan have already signed an agreement before the tournament and expects them to be there, despite the rules and regulations they have to go through in their own country.
Furthermore, the games would have been relocated if for security reasons, however, they won't be shifted because of cricketing purposes.
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