IND vs PAK: ICC, BCCI refuse Pakistan's request to change venues for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

IND vs PAK: ICC, BCCI refuse Pakistan's request to change venues for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have reportedly turned down Pakistan's request for a shift in the venues of a few of their matches in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Recently, in the joint verdict passed by ICC and the BCCI, it was concluded that the request to swap Pakistan's venues for games against Australia and Afghanistan will not be entertained.

As per the draft schedule sent by the ICC to the participating teams of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Pakistan was set to clash with Afghanistan in Chennai while its contest with Australia was scheduled in Bengaluru. Contrary to this the PCB wanted to face Afghanistan in Bengaluru while Australia in Chennai.

However, the request has now been rebuffed as the change or swap of venues for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 can only be done on security grounds and if the venue is unfit to host international matches. Moreover, changing venues is a prerogative of the BCCI and it requires ICC's approval and the two cricket boards didn't find any flaws in the scheduled venues for Pakistan's clash against Afghanistan and Australia.

Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium and Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy are considered the safest option for Pakistan to play its World Cup 2023 matches. Moreover, the two venues are equipped with world-class facilities to host international matches.

Interestingly, earlier, PCB chief Najam Sethi had demanded changing the venue for the marquee IND vs PCB clash, which was to be staged at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Reportedly, Sethi wanted Chennai, Bengaluru or Kolkata to host IND vs PCB fixture, the request which was also turned down by the ICC and BCCI.

The IND vs PCB fixture in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is certain to be held on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in front of a packed crowd. With BCCI declining the request to change the venues, the PCB is left with no option but to play the IND vs PCB match in Ahmedabad.

The schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is yet to be announced by the ICC. Reports suggest that the schedule for the coveted 50-over tournament will be out on June 27.

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For more details head to BCCI's official website.