‘No point in asking us whether we will play in Ahmedabad or not’, says PCB chairman Najam Sethi on IND vs PAK clash in ODI WC

After a statement by Pakistan Cricket Board President Najam Sethi, a new discussion has started regarding Pakistan’s participation in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Sethi insisted that the decision ultimately lies with the government for approval. He clarified during a press conference that neither the PCB nor the BCCI can take decisions about India and Pakistan. When asked about the venue of the India-Pakistan match, Sethi said it was the responsibility of the respective governments to decide. The final decision will depend on these important factors.

 

India’s World Cup draft schedule: (ESPNcricinfo)

IND vs AUS, 8 October, Chennai
IND vs AFG, 11 October, Delhi
IND vs PAK, 15 October, Ahmedabad
IND vs BAN, 19 October, Pune
IND vs NZ, 22 October, Dharamsala
IND vs ENG, 29 October, Lucknow
IND vs Qualifier, 2 November, Mumbai
IND vs SA, 5 November, Kolkata_ pic.twitter.com/6bur54O2L7– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 11, 2023

Sethi said during a press conference on Friday, “The decision is in the hands of the government for approval. As far as India and Pakistan are concerned, neither the PCB nor the BCCI can take a decision. The respective governments can only decide.” Can take.” When asked about the venue of the India-Pakistan match, Sethi replied, “It is for our government to decide, just like when it comes to India, it is their government which decides when they will play.” There is no point in asking us whether we will or not.” Play in Ahmedabad.”
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had earlier announced a hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023, in which Pakistan will host four matches out of a total of 13, while the remaining nine games will be held in Sri Lanka.

Teams participating in this exciting ODI tournament include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal. The matches are to be held from 31 August to 17 September 2023. “When the time comes, it will be decided first whether we are going or not, then the government will decide where we will go. Our decision will rest on both of these. Important terms.” The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday announced a hybrid model for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, in which Pakistan will host four of the 13 matches, while the remaining nine matches will be played in Sri Lanka. India, Pakistan , Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal will compete in 13 thrilling ODIs from August 31 to September 17, 2023.

Talking about the hybrid model, the PCB chairman said that it offers a solution to the long-standing issue between India and Pakistan. He explained that due to logistical challenges, the teams could not play matches in both countries, resulting in the decision to split the matches, with four taking place in Pakistan and the rest in Sri Lanka. Sethi acknowledged that it had been 15 years since India toured Pakistan and said that they had only one option, which was to boycott, as India were unwilling to play matches against them. He said the implications of the boycott were well understood.

“This hybrid model is a solution to a decade-old problem between India and Pakistan, and to solve it I have come up with this solution. These four matches could have been more but it is not possible for the teams to play here and then go ” There (Sri Lanka), so it was segregated in such a way that four matches would be played here and the rest in Sri Lanka,” Sethi further said. “What is it that we have accepted, it has been 15 years when they are not coming Well, this is nothing new. what have we got; They were not giving us a match, we had only one option to boycott. But you know the implications for that,” Sethi said.