The countdown for the biggest cricketing event has officially begun, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the official schedule on June 27, marking 100 days left for the big event. The 2023 ODI World Cup will commence on October 5 as the reigning champions, England will take on the runners-up of the past edition, New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The hosts will begin their campaign by locking horns with Australia on October 8. Meanwhile, the highlight of the campaign will be the India-Pakistan clash that will take place on October 15 in Ahmedabad. Earlier, there were rumours that PCB didn’t want to play at certain venues. However, the legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has taken a stand regarding the same.
The former Pakistan great expressed that players should not be bothered by the venues, and said that the team will have to play, irrespective of the venue. Akram told a media outlet, "There is no issue here. Wherever the match will be held, Pakistan will have to play there. End of conversation. It is just an unnecessary stress when it comes to this conversation over venues. If you ask any Pakistan cricketer, they don't care. They will play wherever the schedule comes.”
Addressing the rifts persisting between India and Pakistan cricket, Akram said, “I am all for egos, if you have an ego and if you think you can stand by your stance then you must speak. But then move on, but always think before saying anything, but if you can’t then don’t talk about it, everyone is patriotic for their country. But I must say that this is just a game. Take it as a game.”
Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board earlier said that its participation in the ODI World Cup will be subject to government clearance. PTI quoted a PCB official saying, "Our participation in the World Cup and us playing in Ahmedabad on October 15 or in Mumbai if we qualify for semifinals will all be dependent on government clearance.”
