The World Cup 2023 Schedule may be out but Pakistan are yet to confirm their participation in the mega tournament in India. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is miffed with the ICC and BCCI over the rejection of the venue swap as well as scheduling the big IND vs PAK at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. PCB has sought the Pakistan government’s guidance on travelling to India. As per Pakistan WC Schedule, Babar Azam & Co begin their campaign on October 6 against Qualifier 1 (from CWC qualifiers) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
“The PCB requires the Government of Pakistan’s clearance for any tour to India, including the match venues. This position is consistent to what we had told the ICC a couple of weeks ago when they shared with us the draft schedule and sought our feedback,” a PCB spokesperson told GeoTV.
Also read: ENG vs NZ to mark WC start on Oct 5, IND vs AUS on Oct 8, ICC unveils Full Schedule
Pakistan will only travel to India only if the government allows it. At the moment, Pakistan are not happy with BCCI forcing the Asia Cup 2023 to be partially moved out of the country. Pakistan will only get to host four matches while Sri Lanka will host the cash-cow IND vs PAK Asia Cup clash as well as the mega continental final.
The PCB is now waiting for Pak government’s guidance and will intimate the ICC as soon as they hear from them. However, it should be noted that BCCI is already planning to object to Pakistan’s hosting rights for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The message is clear: India will not travel to Pakistan for any cricketing event.
However, a lot can change in the next two months. Pakistan will go for general elections with the ruling party’s term coming to an end in August. The decision on travel to India will rely on the new government and its diplomatic ties with Narendra Modi govt.
In 2016, a similar situation transpired when Nawaz Sharif-led government gave Pakistan a last-minute nod to travel to Pakistan. The PCB and the Pak government wanted assurances from Indian government on security. To its credit, BCCI conceded and moved India vs Pakistan from Dharamshala to Kolkata.
Pakistan WC Schedule:
- PAK vs Q1: Fri 06 October, at 2 PM, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- PAK vs Q2: Thu 12 October, at 2 PM, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- IND vs PAK: Sun 15 October, at 2 PM, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- AUS vs PAK: Fri 20 October, at 2 PM, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- PAK vs AFG: Mon 23 October, at 2 PM, Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- PAK vs SA: Fri 27 October, at 2 PM, Chidambaram, Chennai
- PAK vs BAN: Tue 31 October, at 2 PM, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- NZ vs PAK: Sat 04 November, at 2 PM, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- ENG vs PAK: Sun 12 November, at 2 PM, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
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