According to a PTI report, PCB chairman Najam Sethi has informed his ICC counterpart Greg Barclay of his concerns regarding playing the World Cup match against arch-rival India in Ahmedabad.
According to reports, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi has informed his ICC counterpart Greg Barclay of his concerns over playing the World Cup match against archrival India in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. PCB wants its matches to be played in Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru, as first reported by PTI. Barclay and ICC General Manager Geoff Allardice were recently in Karachi to seek assurance from PCB chief that they will not demand to play their ODI World Cup matches at a neutral location, since ACC is expected to reject its desire to play Asia Cup on the basis of the ‘Hybrid Model’.
“Sethi has conveyed to Barclay and Allardice that Pakistan does not want it matches to be scheduled in Ahmedabad unless it is a knock-out game like the final,” a top PCB source said. “He requested that the ICC schedule their games in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata if the national team gets clearance from the Pakistan government to travel to India for the global event scheduled in October and November,” the source added.
While the Pakistan board is concerned about the safety of its players if they are forced to face India in Ahmedabad, it should be noted that the Inzamam ul Haq-led team played at the Motera during its 2005 tour to India.
The BCCI and ICC officials, who are now in London for the World Test Championship Final, are anticipated to finalise the World Cup schedule and venues in the coming days before it is sent to member/participating countries.
