The ICC’s plans to announce the World Cup 2023 Schedule hit another roadblock. While BCCI and PCB have managed to put their Asia Cup 2023 problems to bed, WC 2023 still remains an issue. Incoming PCB chief Zaka Ashraf has maintained that there remain a number of issues that PCB need assurances on, heading into the tournament.
The BCCI and the ICC were expected to announce the schedule on June 27, but that could be delayed given PCB’s stance. Incidentally, 27th June is just 100 days before 5th October, the day the World Cup is set to commence.
Days after Asian Cricket Council (ACC) accepted Pakistan’s hybrid model proposal for Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a u-turn. PCB’s incoming chairman Zaka Ashraf who will succeed Najam Sethi has rejected the model. Ashraf added that the World Cup issue is yet to be sorted which could mean that the release of schedule will be delayed further.
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“There are challenges lined up ahead for Pakistan, there are many pending issues, the Asia Cup is there, then the World Cup, the team’s preparations, a lot of issues. I do not want to speak against anyone because I have not (yet) taken over,” Ashraf said while not wanting to say anything about Sethi.
“Once I take over, will see what the scenario is. I always take media along, I do not hide anything. We have to work for the betterment of Pakistan, we have a clear conscious.”
It is understood that Pakistan’s demands to play World Cup matches at a neutral venue will not be accepted by either the BCCI or the ICC at any cost, and now Ashraf’s tough stance on Asia Cup could spoil relations further. Furthermore, PCB’s request to swap venues for the Afghanistan and Australia games was also swiftly denied.
The ODI World Cup’s official dates have not yet been revealed, although the tournament is tentatively scheduled to begin on October 5 and conclude in November. With just over 3 months to go for the tournament, the ICC was expected t release the schedule on June 27. However, PCB’s recent stance could once again shift the dynamic and cause a delay.
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