In a recent development, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi, has reportedly conveyed his concerns to his International Cricket Council (ICC) counterpart, Greg Barclay, regarding the scheduled World Cup match against arch-rivals India. Sources reveal that Sethi expressed reservations about playing the match at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, citing security apprehensions.
PCB requests alternative venues
According to insiders, the PCB has requested the ICC to consider alternative venues such as Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru for Pakistan’s matches, provided the national team receives clearance from the Pakistan government to travel to India for the global event, set to take place in October and November. The PCB emphasized that it would prefer Ahmedabad only if the match were a knockout game, such as the final.
While concerns about player security were raised, it is worth noting that the Pakistani team had previously played at the Motera Stadium (now the Narendra Modi Stadium) during their 2005 tour to India. However, the PCB remains cautious and seeks assurance from the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the safety of its players.
Sethi urged ICC for a fair share of revenue model
In addition to discussing the World Cup match venue, Sethi reportedly urged ICC officials to convince the BCCI to accept Pakistan’s proposed Hybrid Model for the Asia Cup. However, it appears unlikely that the Hybrid Model will be adopted, as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is expected to reject the demand.
The PCB official further highlighted the issue of revenue sharing, emphasizing that Pakistan should receive a fair share in the new five-year cycle. Sethi argued that it was unfair for Pakistan to receive a lesser share compared to Australia and England, pointing out that the latter two nations regularly engage in bilateral series with India and have their players participating in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).
Officials from the BCCI and ICC, currently in London for the World Test Championship Final, are expected to finalize the World Cup schedule and venues in the coming days before circulating them to participating countries. The concerns raised by the PCB will likely be taken into consideration during these discussions, ensuring the smooth organization of the highly anticipated tournament.
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