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ACC have officially accepted the hybrid model for the Asia Cup with Sri Lanka being the co-hosts along with Pakistan. As per the latest accepted hybrid model, India will not have to travel to Pakistan, instead will play its matches in Sri Lanka.
After the successful acceptance, the focus has now shifted to the ODI World Cup, set to be played in India later this year. In the latest turn of events, Pakistan have expressed their reluctance to play in the city of Ahmedabad and Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain and star all-rounder, has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for this gesture.
According to reports, India vs Pakistan clash is scheduled on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, however, the announcement is yet to be made officially. PCB has reportedly expressed its reservations about playing at this venue and has asked the ICC to schedule their matches in other cities like Chennai, Kolkata, or Bengaluru. PCB Chief Najam Sethi has said that Ahmedabad is a sensitive city for Pakistan, and they might face security issues there.
Afridi has ridiculed PCB’s stance and said that there is nothing to fear about playing in Ahmedabad. He mentioned that Pakistan should go and play there and show their skills in front of a packed Indian crowd. Afridi asked on a local news channel, “Why are they declining to play on Ahmedabad pitches? Does it hurl fire or is it haunted?”
“Go and play - go, play and win. If these are the foreseen challenges, then the only way to overcome them is through a comprehensive victory. What matters at the end of the day is Pakistan team’s win,” he continued.
Afridi also said that playing in Ahmedabad should be taken positively by the team and they should aim to defeat India at their favorite venue. The all-rounder said that Pakistan has nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing there. “The crux only and only lies in there. Take this rather positively. If they [India] are comfortable there, you should go, pull a victory in front of a packed Indian crowd and show them what you got,” Afridi said.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, formerly known as Motera Stadium, is the one of the world’s largest cricket stadiums with a capacity of 1.32 Lakh spectators. It is also one of the venues for the 2023 World Cup.
