CWC 2023: PCB sends note to ICC to swap venues as India set to announce the schedule
New Delhi : The announcement of the schedule for the ICC Men's ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, set to begin in India on October 5, is being delayed due to objections raised by the Pakistan cricket team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already submitted the draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over a week ago, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed concerns regarding the venues allocated for their matches.
According to the ESPNCricinfo website, the PCB has sent a communication to the ICC, requesting a venue swap for their matches against Australia on October 20 in Bengaluru and against Afghanistan on October 23 in Chennai. However, the BCCI plans to announce the World Cup 2023 schedule on June 27, which marks 100 days until the tournament begins on October 25.
The PCB's internal note states, "Australia in Bengaluru and Afghanistan in Chennai are the two which we should look to get changed as much as possible." The note further suggests that swapping these venues, with Australia playing in Chennai and Afghanistan in Bengaluru, would provide an advantage to Pakistan in both matches.
Additionally, Pakistan has asked the ICC if they can play one warm-up match against South Africa, England, New Zealand, or Australia instead of Afghanistan. They have also expressed a desire to change the venue for the India vs. Pakistan match on October 15 from Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, the PCB acknowledges that altering this venue is unlikely due to its significance for the BCCI and the match's importance in the World Cup.
The PCB's internal note also raises concerns about the two games Pakistan is scheduled to play in Kolkata, against Bangladesh on October 31 and defending champions England on November 12, the final match of the league phase. The note suggests alternative venues where the team would feel more comfortable playing, such as Lucknow or Delhi.
The delay in announcing the World Cup 2023 schedule stems from the objections raised by the Pakistan cricket team regarding venue allocations.
