Pakistan Cricket: Wasim Akram – Legendary cricketer Wasim Akram opines there is no discussion whatsoever when it comes to whether Pakistan will play archrivals India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed their reservations to ICC on playing at the World’s largest Cricket Stadium. However, ICC and BCCI did not pay heed to PCB’s request and allotted INDO PAK clash in Ahmedabad.
Akram said Pakistan players won’t be having a problem facing India at the Narendra Modi Stadium as they don’t care about the schedule. “There’s no issue with it. Pakistan will play wherever they are assigned to play. Simple. This unnecessary stress of ‘we won’t play in Ahmedabad’…you ask Pakistani players, they don’t care wherever their schedule comes,” Akram told reporters.
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Pakistan Cricket: Keep your ego aside Wasim Akram’s blunt take on Pakistan playing against India in Ahmedabad
The former Pakistan pacer also said egos should not be brought in the middle, and if you have problem speak it and move on. Akram also said let the governments of both parties deal with this political problem and not players.
“I’m all for egos. If you have an ego and understand that what’s happening is wrong, then speak up. But again, move on then. Always plan it, always think if we can do it? Can we finish what we’ve planned to do? If we can’t, then don’t do this. It ends up becoming a cause for laughter.
We’re all patriotic for our country. And they will be for their country. No doubt about it. But at the end of the day, it’s only a game. Governments will speak to each other, that’s their problem,” the former Pakistan international added.
For the unversed, Pakistan also expressed his displeasure about playing Afghanistan in Chennai and Australia in Bengaluru. Also, PCB had issues playing in Mumbai due to security reasons. Pakistan won’t be playing any matches in Mumbai till the semi-final. If Babar Azam & Co qualify for the semis, then the match will be moved to Kolkata from Mumbai.
Will Pakistan travel to India for WC?
Despite the World Cup schedule being out, Pakistan are yet to confirm their participation in the event. Miffed after ICC and BCCI not paying heed to their swap and change in venue facing India in Ahmedabad, Pakistan has said it will seek government clearance before traveling to India to play the 50-over World Cup.
“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.
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