Pakistan cricket team’s preferred World Cup venues spark security concerns
Pakistan cricket team has urged that most of their games in the 2023 ODI World Cup take place in Chennai and Kolkata, cities where they have previously felt secure during their tours. The Men in Green have made their preferred options known to the ICC, and discussions on this sensitive issue are ongoing at the highest levels of both the Pakistan Cricket Board and the ICC.
On October 5, the 2023 ODI World Cup will commence, with 46 matches to be played across 12 cities in India. These cities are Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Rajkot, Bengaluru, Delhi, Indore, Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Dharamasala.
Although Ahmedabad has a capacity of 132,000, making it the most profitable venue for ICC, it cannot be selected to host India-Pakistan match as the final will already take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Therefore, an alternative venue between Chennai and Kolkata may be chosen.
Sources close to the ICC Board, tracking developments, revealed that the Pakistan cricket team prefers to play most of its World Cup matches in Kolkata and Chennai. During the 2016 T20 World Cup, Pakistan played against India in Kolkata, and the team members were satisfied with the security arrangements. Likewise, the Pakistan team holds fond memories of Chennai as a venue. Safety and security at specific locations are crucial factors for the team’s preference.
PCB Chairman’s Views on Playing in India
During a recent interview, Najam Sethi, the chairman of the PCB management committee, stated that Pakistan fans do not want their team to participate in the World Cup hosted by India unless India agrees to play the Asia Cup in Pakistan. Sethi acknowledged the public’s sentiment and emphasized the need for Pakistan to stand its ground and not be dictated to.
The Pakistan cricket team has faced several security concerns while touring India in the past. In 2009, the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore, which led to international cricket teams refusing to play in Pakistan for several years. Since then, Pakistan has played its home matches in the UAE and other countries.
In 2019, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to host Pakistan in the Asia Cup, which was eventually held in the UAE. Due to the tense political relations between the two countries, the two teams have only played against each other in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup matches held in neutral venues.
However, despite the challenges, Pakistan remains a formidable team on the cricket pitch. They have won the ODI World Cup once in 1992 and have made it to the semi-finals several times. The team is currently ranked sixth in the ICC ODI rankings, and their star players, such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi, have made a significant impact in recent matches.
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The Pakistan cricket team’s request to play most of their matches in Chennai and Kolkata during the 2023 ODI World Cup reflects the security concerns that the team has faced in the past while touring India. It also highlights the importance of feeling safe at specific venues. While discussions are ongoing at the ICC level, it remains to be seen whether the team’s request will be granted. However, regardless of where they play, the Pakistan cricket team remains a formidable force on the cricket pitch and a strong contender for the ODI World Cup title.
