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Former Pakistan pacer and 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram believes there is no discussion when it comes to whether or not Pakistan will indeed play India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, per the 2023 World Cup schedule announced on Tuesday.
“There’s no issue with it. Pakistan will play wherever they are assigned to play. Simple. This unnecessary stress of ‘we won’t play in Ahmedabad’…you ask Pakistani players, they don’t care wherever their schedule comes,” Akram told reporters.
“I’m all for egos. If you have an ego and understand that what’s happening is wrong, then speak up. But again, move on then. Always plan it, always think if we can do it? Can we finish what we’ve planned to do? If we can’t, then don’t do this. It ends up becoming a cause for laughter. We’re all patriotic for our country. And they will be for their country. No doubt about it. But end of the day, it’s only a game. Governments will speak to each other, that’s their problem,” the former Pakistan international added.
Earlier last month, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Najam Sethi had told The Indian Express, “When I heard that the Pakistan match was to be in Ahmedabad, I smiled and said to myself – ‘this is one way to make sure we don’t come to India’. I mean if you’d said Chennai or Kolkata, it might have made sense.”
Among PCB’s request following the draft schedule being released were a venue swap for the Australia and Afghanistan game from Chennai and Bangalore – which was denied – and unwillingness to play at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, citing security issues. The latter was considered and while none of Pakistan’s league stage games will be played in Mumbai, the semifinal scheduled in the city will be moved to Eden Gardens, Kolkata if Pakistan qualify for the same.
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