Former Pakistan pacer and 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram believes there is no such thing as a dialogue in terms of whether or not or not Pakistan will certainly play India on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, per the 2023 World Cup schedule introduced on Tuesday.
“There’s no issue with it. Pakistan will play wherever they are assigned to play. Simple. This unnecessary stress of ‘we won’t play in Ahmedabad’…you ask Pakistani players, they don’t care wherever their schedule comes,” Akram advised reporters.
“I’m all for egos. If you have an ego and understand that what’s happening is wrong, then speak up. But again, move on then. Always plan it, always think if we can do it? Can we finish what we’ve planned to do? If we can’t, then don’t do this. It ends up becoming a cause for laughter. We’re all patriotic for our country. And they will be for their country. No doubt about it. But end of the day, it’s only a game. Governments will speak to each other, that’s their problem,” the previous Pakistan worldwide added.
Earlier final month, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Najam Sethi had advised The Indian Express, “When I heard that the Pakistan match was to be in Ahmedabad, I smiled and said to myself – ‘this is one way to make sure we don’t come to India’. I mean if you’d said Chennai or Kolkata, it might have made sense.”
Among PCB’s request following the draft schedule being launched have been a venue swap for the Australia and Afghanistan recreation from Chennai and Bangalore – which was denied – and unwillingness to play on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, citing safety points. The latter was thought of and whereas none of Pakistan’s league stage video games can be performed in Mumbai, the semifinal scheduled within the metropolis can be moved to Eden Gardens, Kolkata if Pakistan qualify for a similar.
