Recent reports had suggested that Pakistan may play their World Cup league games in Bangladesh instead of India due to the political tension between the two countries. However, International Cricket Council sources have dismissed these speculations as a “figment of imagination”. The discussions that were held during the recent ICC board meeting in Dubai were related to the procurement of visas, and the Indian cricket board has assured of all assistance in this regard.
An ICC board source has stated that there were no official discussions about Pakistan playing their World Cup matches in Bangladesh. The source also pointed out that Bangladesh is not even in the ICC’s scheme of things as a co-host as of now, and it is unlikely that Pakistan will play their matches there.
The procurement of visas has been a concern for the Pakistani team in the past, but the Indian cricket board has assured that there will be no problems in this regard. One of the main points for a host country is that all participating nations will be given visas on time, and the Indian cricket board has promised to ensure this.
However, the PCB’s pressure tactics related to the Asia Cup have caused concern in the BCCI circles. The top brass in the BCCI understands that the recent speculations about Pakistan playing their World Cup league games in Bangladesh instead of India are part of a pressure tactic applied by the PCB because of the Asia Cup issue.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Pakistan, but India has made it clear that they will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. The BCCI secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Jay Shah has announced that the Asia Cup will be held at a neutral venue. It is likely that the tournament will be held in UAE or Qatar, and Pakistan will have to play their matches in one of these countries.
In conclusion, the recent speculations about Pakistan playing their World Cup league games in Bangladesh instead of India have been dismissed by ICC sources. The discussions that were held during the recent ICC board meeting were related to the procurement of visas, and the Indian cricket board has assured of all assistance in this regard. The pressure tactics applied by the PCB related to the Asia Cup have caused concern in the BCCI circles, and it is likely that the tournament will be held at a neutral venue, with Pakistan having to play their matches in one of these countries.
The decision on whether Pakistan will be able to play their matches at home will depend on the commercial viability of the tournament, and the ACC may not pass the budget if they determine that it is not financially feasible to hold the tournament in two countries.
I am very excited. I love Cricket ❤️