
The participation of Pakistan in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India is subject to approval from their government as per the latest reports. Recently, the draft version of this year’s 50-over World Cup schedule was released, wherein Pakistan is expected to play against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15 of this year.
The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi reportedly said that the organisation has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), to point out that they can’t unilaterally approve the fixture list for the World Cup. Pakistan are scheduled to play their matches in the prestigious tournament, in Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Najam Sethi was quoted as saying about the matter, “We have written to the ICC that we can't give approval or disapproval to this (World Cup schedule).” Recently, PCB, who had been pushing for the hybrid model to host the Asia Cup, got approval from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to stage the tournament alongside Sri Lanka, after months of negotiation with all the concerned parties, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
PCB chairman mentioned that the Pakistan Government will be taking the decision about whether their men’s cricket team travels to India to play the ODI World Cup or not. He remarked, “It's our government who has to decide, just like when it comes to India, it's their government that decides when they go to play. ”
“There is no point asking us if we will play in Ahmedabad. When the time comes, first it will be decided whether we are going or not, then the government decides where we will go. Our decision will rest on these two important conditions,” opined Najam Sethi.
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