Even though the full schedule of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is yet to release, much has been said and written about it. Pakistan is yet to tell whether or not they will play in the competition. The World Cup will happen in India this year.
A strange request for a site change for two of its World Cup venues was sent to the ICC and BCCI by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Ramiz Raza, a former PCB chairman, earlier said that Pakistan should not visit India for the ODI World Cup in 2023.
After the BCCI made it known that the Indian squad would not be going to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, this statement was made.
R Ashwin shared his opinions on PCB’s desire to change the location on his YouTube channel.
Ravichandran Ashwin: ICC won’t pay heed to the request
Regarding the PCB’s plea to switch the venue, R Ashwin finally said that the International Cricket Council will not grant Pakistan’s request. The veteran Indian spinner said that the ICC is not likely to heed the proposal with the extent of the issue.
R Ashwin further said that Pakistan would only have a chance to have the site changed if they cited security reasons. “Pakistan, in their request letter itself, have said that conditions will favor Afghanistan in Chennai. So, by changing venues, it plays into an advantage for Pakistan.
I have little faith that ICC will agree with this request. Perhaps, it will see a shift in Pakistan provides a decent security reason—Pakistan’s shocking idea to change the location. Pakistan will be facing Australia in Bangalore and Afghanistan in Chennai. They want a switch in the locations.
ICC will only see some demands for security concerns. India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match will take place in Dharamsala. But later, it was moved to Kolkata for security reasons, he said.
ICC ODI World Cup 2023: A Preview
The vast World Cup event’s official schedule is yet to release. The official statement will come out on June 27 by the International Cricket Council. As a result, the fixture list will come out exactly 100 days before it begins.
The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 will kick off on October 5 with the defending champions, England playing against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, according to the BCCI’s calendar, Press Trust of India said, citing sources. The schedule is yet to come out, and the huge cricket event won’t begin for another little over three months.
The event will have a total of 10 teams. Eight of these teams are already moving ahead, and two more will enter the qualifiers for the main competition.
On November 19, the final will take place in Ahmedabad. As per the BCCI’s preliminary schedule for the cup, India’s World Cup campaign will kickstart against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. A week later, on October 15, it will also face Pakistan in Ahmedabad.
As per the Press Trust of India, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Pune, Lucknow, and Dharamsala have been named for ICC World Cup 2023 matches.
ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Pakistan’s schedule
Meanwhile, Pakistan will start their World Cup 2023 campaign against Australia at that point if the rumors are true. The game can take place on October 20 at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. Additionally, Pakistan will play Afghanistan three days later in Chennai’s Chidambaram Stadium. PCB has asked for a venue switch for these two games.
Former spinner Danish Kaneria questioned Pakistan’s strategy in response to the same, saying that the team was wary of Rashid Khan and other Afghanistan spinners.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaneria said:
“In Chennai, Pakistan has refused to face Afghanistan.” I’m baffled by this act. They refuse to pay in Chennai due to the turning track. Do you fear Rashid Khan and the other Afghan spinners? Do they believe they will fail to win against them on that wicket? “There was no reason to make such a request.”
Playing Afghanistan in spin-friendly Chennai would mean facing players like Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad. Both players have done well for Gujarat Titans in the 2023 Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, the Bengaluru pitch is batting-friendly. So it’s tough to see why Pakistan would be wary about playing Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
