The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15, marking their eighth encounter in a men’s World Cup.
India has emerged victorious in all previous seven meetings between the two teams, including the 2019 World Cup match at Old Trafford where India posted a massive total and secured an 89-run victory.
The last T20 World Cup saw India’s streak broken, but they reclaimed bragging rights with a memorable win in the 2022 edition. Despite the Pakistan Cricket Board’s concerns about sending their team to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, the International Cricket Council is confident that Pakistan will participate in the tournament.
“Our participation in the World Cup and us playing in Ahmedabad on October 15 or in Mumbai if we qualify for semi-finals will all be dependent on government clearance,” said a PCB official.
The PCB’s participation will depend on government clearance, as they await directives from their government regarding travel to India.
“We have already informed the ICC that our participation in the tournament or any issues over venues is linked to firstly the PCB getting clearance from the government to travel to India,” the official said.
The ICC has rejected PCB’s request to relocate matches, citing security concerns as the primary criterion for venue selection.
“All members have to abide by the rules and the laws of their country and we respect that. But we’re confident Pakistan will be in India for the men’s cricket World Cup,” an ICC spokesperson told PTI.
With uncertainty surrounding the PCB chairman’s elections and the stay order issued by the Balochistan High Court, the future of Pakistan cricket remains unclear.
