Cricket

'Khauf rehna chahiye' - Fans react as Ex-PCB chief wants Pakistan to play their World Cup matches outside India

Pakistan could play their 50-over World Cup games in a neutral venue, possibly Bangladesh. Here's how fans reacted to the updates.

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Daniel S
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Pakistan to play World Cup matches at Neutral Venue

Pakistan to play World Cup matches at Neutral Venue (Source: Twitter)

According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Bangladesh may host Pakistan's ODI World Cup games in 2023. The prestigious tournament will be held in India, but Pakistan may decide not to participate due to political tensions between the two nations. According to the source, talks on the prospect of a hybrid Asia Cup model are also considered a potential resolution.

Although Pakistan is hosting the continental competition this year, India's matches could take place somewhere else. The final match might also be held outside the host nation, in this case, Pakistan, if India and Pakistan make it to the tournament's final.

Neutral venue update is a suspected retaliation for the Asia Cup venue controversy

The most recent match between Pakistan and India took place in Kolkata at the T20 World Cup, which was held there in 2016. As soon as ACC president and Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah declared that India would not be travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup set for later this year and that the tournament would be shifted outside of Pakistan, concerns were raised. Najam Sethi, the new PCB chairman, said he would need cooperation from other member nations to host the continental championship effectively after the PCB's leadership changed last year.

"It's important to see how other members (of ACC) look at our stance on Asia Cup. What they think is important, but in the end, we must realise how much clout the Indian Cricket Board, with its financial power, carries in world cricket," said Sethi at a press conference earlier this month.

It was suggested that India would play their Asia Cup games away from Pakistan after the Asian Cricket Council conference in Dubai. Intriguingly, Sethi also stated in the same press conference that the Pakistani squad would want the highest levels of security for the players and open access for Pakistani media and supporters if they travelled to India (for the 50-over World Cup).

Now, Apex Cricket Body's General manager and former PCB Chief, Wasim Khan's statements further confirm the same. "Pakistan likely to play their world cup matches at a neutral venue outside India", Wasim said.

Here's how fans reacted to the updates:

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