World Cup 2023: India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 in the words of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi, could be a factor in the next ICC events across the region. Regarding the likely date of the India against Pakistan men’s ICC ODI World Cup 2023 game on Narendra Modi Stadium, Sethi has accused the PCB of a political motive and raised the issue about Ahmedabad for the site for the much-anticipated match.
Sethi believes that India’s decision not to come to Pakistan as an example for the 50-over World Cup in India later this year, and also for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. PCB director has suggested an innovative hybrid structure for hosting this year’s Asia Cup 2023 in exchange to move India’s matches away from Pakistan.
“We will use the same hybrid model in World Cup 2023.” World Cup if India now prefers a neutral venue and is willing to accept the hybrid model (for Asia Cup 2023). Pakistan is allowed to participate in World Cup games in Dhaka or any other venue that India accepts and this is the case for the Champions Trophy games. This means that every other nation is permitted to take part in Pakistan However, India can play in a neutral location. Therefore, this is a plan to advance and ends the political impasse.” PCB chief told The Indian Express.
World Cup 2023 Update: No IND vs PAK mach at Narendra Modi Stadium?
Additionally, Sethi also addressed rumors that the BCCI was planning to host the India-Pakistan World Cup game at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
“When I found out of this Pakistan match was scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad I smiled and told myself, ‘this is a good method to ensure that we don’t travel into India’. If you’d had suggested Chennai or Kolkata the choice might have been logical,” he said.
“I would rather not get into the politics involved however there could have a political component to this since If there’s a city in which there are security concerns and it’s Ahmedabad. So, my opinion is that the less that is said about it the more positive. It made it appear as if this was a ruse that was put in our path to say “hey, we’re playing you at Ahmedabad and you’re to keep an eye on us. The only thing you need to know is who controls Ahmedabad”” Sethi added.
Sethi gave details about an upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Bahrain about hosting the Asia Cup in October, declaring that there hasn’t been a decision yet taken and the reactions of members towards the new hybrid plan are being sought. He added that Pakistan will withdraw if ACC insists on a one-host model.
What is Hybrid Model?
The teams scheduled to play in Pakistan (apart of India) are scheduled to play four games in Pakistan. After that, get on an aircraft and head for the neutral spot where the remaining matches will be played.
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