The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have rejected Pakistan’s request to swap venues. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) pulled off a stunning move amid the WC deadlock over venues. It shot a letter to the ICC to swap venues for two matches. The matches in question are Pakistan vs Australia in Bengaluru and Pakistan vs Afghanistan in Chennai. PCB wants to avoid Afghanistan in spin-friendly Chepauk Stadium and Australia in batting-heaven M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
However, in a joint meeting on Tuesday night, ICC and BCCI officially rejected PCB’s request for not offering valid reason to swap venues.
As per an internal memo in the PCB, obtained by ESPN Cricinfo, the swap in the venue would make Pakistan favourites against the two opponents.
“Australia in Bengaluru and Afghanistan in Chennai are the two which we should look to get changed as much as possible. Ideally, we can switch these around. Australia in Chennai and Afghanistan in Bengaluru would make us obvious favourites in both matches,” the note read.
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Why PCB wants a venue change?
Chepauk Stadium in Chennai is once again likely to be a spin-friendly venue. With Afghanistan arguably the best spin attack in the world, Pakistan want to avoid them in Chennai at all cost. If Pakistan play Afghanistan in Bengaluru, the batting-friendly venue will help Babar Azam & Co render Afghan spin attack ineffective with shorter boundaries.
Similarly, if Pakistan face Australia in Chennai, the likes of Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan will help them clip Pat Cummins & Co. Australia have struggled against spin in Indian conditions and it will definitely make Pakistan favourites in both games.
Generally, only security reasons force a venue change. However, it is not the case here. In T20 World Cup 2016, India vs Pakistan match in Dharamshala was moved to Kolkata. But this is rare when a team holds the entire schedule hostage for its own advantage.
However, those two aren’t the only games Pakistan want a change in venue for. India vs Pakistan in Ahmedabad, Pakistan vs Bangladesh and Pakistan vs England in Kolkata are also points of concern.
PCB wants Pakistan to face England in Lucknow considering past record. Delhi is the other venue Pakistan are comfortable in. As for Ahmedabad, despite their best efforts, ICC is unlikely to change the venue. The crowd number will play a huge factor.
Tentative Pakistan World Cup 2023 Schedule
- October 6: Pakistan vs Qualifier in Hyderabad
- October 12: Pakistan vs Qualifier in Hyderabad
- October 15: Pakistan vs India in Ahmedabad
- October 20: Pakistan vs Australia in Bengaluru
- October 23: Pakistan vs Afghanistan in Chennai
- October 27: Pakistan vs South Africa in Chennai
- October 31: Pakistan vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
- November 5: Pakistan vs New Zealand in Bengaluru
- November 12: Pakistan vs England in Kolkata
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