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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi has cast fresh doubts over Pakistan’s travel to India for participating in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. Now that the Asia Cup 2023 venue issue has finally fallen into place, it seemed that Pakistan would agree to travel to India for the World Cup happening later this year. However, the PCB Chief has said that they cannot confirm anything yet citing “subject to government approval”.
Sethi’s comment came after all the stakeholders, including the ACC and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Chief Jay Shah, agreed to host the Asia Cup 2023 in a hybrid model, which was proposed by Sethi himself. The PCB Chief was addressing a press conference on Friday, June 16, when he said, "As far as India and Pakistan go, neither the PCB or the BCCI can take decisions. The respective governments only can take decisions. It's our government who has to decide, just like when it comes to India, it's their government that decides when they go to play. There is no point asking us if we will play in Ahmedabad.”
Sethi said that the government will decide if the Pakistan team will travel to India or not, putting ICC in a bind before the schedule for the upcoming mega event is decided. With the international cricket regulating body finally planning to announce the already delayed schedule, the response from the Pakistan Board must have put them in a fix now.
Sethi went on to say, "When the time comes, first it will be decided whether we are going or not, then the government decides where we will go. Our decision will rest on these two important conditions. We have told the ICC also that if our government looks into the security considerations and gives us permission, we will come to play in India. If they don't give, how can we come and play in India? Even if the government gives us permission, we have to look at the venues and decide where to play. That comes later. Firstly, the government has to give us the nod. It has to tell us whether we can go or not."
Notably, the Asian Cricket Council has agreed to the hybrid model proposal by the Pakistan Board, and as per the latest developments, the continental tournament will be held from August 31 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
