Chennai under consideration as backup venue for Indo-Pak World Cup clash

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Chennai is being considered as a backup venue for the highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash at the 2023 World Cup, as reported by renowned Indian sports journalist, Vikrant Gupta.

The match is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15. However, if the Pakistan government does not allow the team to play in Ahmedabad, Chennai is being considered as an alternative option by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“If Pakistan government does not allow Pakistan to play against India at Ahmedabad, then Chennai will be used as a backup option," said Gupta on Aaj Tak.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared its official stance on the ODI World Cup 2023 schedule unveiled by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday.

The PCB spokesperson emphasized that the team's participation in the tournament is subject to government clearance.

“The board requires the Government of Pakistan’s clearance for any tour to India, including the match venues,” PCB spokesperson said.

“We are liaising with our government for guidance, and as soon as we hear something from them, we will update the Event Authority [ICC]. This position is consistent to what we had told the ICC a couple of weeks ago when they shared with us the draft schedule and sought our feedback,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer, Wasim Akram, has criticized the PCB for creating unnecessary controversy over the selection of Ahmedabad as a venue for the 2023 World Cup.

Akram, while talking to media at an event in Karachi on Tuesday, said that Pakistan should avoid unnecessary stress and play matches at the venues where they are scheduled.

“I don’t understand these unnecessary statements like ‘we won’t play in Ahmedabad’. Ask Pakistan players, they don’t care, they will play where they are scheduled to play,” Akram said.