The 2023 ODI World Cup schedule is but to formally introduced because the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) awaits affirmation from Pakistan concerning their participation within the match. The occasion is scheduled to be held in India in October-November later this 12 months.

Based on media stories, the ultimate draft of the World Cup fixture has been despatched to all collaborating nations following ICC protocols. Nonetheless, Pakistan has requested a change in venues for his or her fixtures towards Australia and Afghanistan.

Their worries primarily revolve across the safety scenario in India, in addition to the standard of pitches in sure venues.

As per the present schedule, Pakistan is slated to play Australia at Bangaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on October 20, and Afghanistan at Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 23.

Whereas the PCB has not disclosed the precise cause behind the request, media stories counsel that Pakistan desires to reduce the specter of spin bowling as pitches, particulary in Chennai, helps spinners. And in accordance with the draft schedule, Pakistan will conflict towards Afghanistan, who possessed world class spinners, in Chennai. However, the request continues to be awaiting an official response from the ICC, and the World Cup schedule has not been made public but.

In mild of Pakistan’s request, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared his opinion on his YouTube channel. Ashwin expressed his perception that the ICC is unlikely to entertain the request because of the nature of the rationale supplied. He talked about {that a} venue swap might have been thought-about if Pakistan had cited safety considerations, as was finished throughout the 2016 T20 World Cup when the India-Pakistan match scheduled in Dharamsala was moved to Kolkata.

“Pakistan, of their request letter itself, have talked about that circumstances will favour Afghanistan in Chennai. So, by altering venues, it performs into Pakistan’s benefit. So, I extremely doubt that the ICC will heed this request. Possibly if Pakistan had given some legitimate safety causes, then it is likely to be shifted. One other necessary factor. Pakistan’s fascinating request to change venues. The fixtures now are Pakistan enjoying Australia in Bangalore and Afghanistan in Chennai. They need the venues interchanged,” Ashwin mentioned.

“Just for safety causes, the ICC will contemplate these requests. Within the 2016 T20 World Cup, India vs Pakistan was slated to occur in Dharamsala, however for safety causes, it obtained shifted to Kolkata,” the veteran Indian cricketer concluded.