Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 remains in doubt, as the country’s cricket board said on Tuesday it needs government approval to send the squad to neighboring India, the tournament’s host.
The ICC announced the schedule for the sensational tournament earlier in the day, with Pakistan and India scheduled to face each other on October 15 in Ahmedabad.
In a statement, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson said: “PCB requires the approval of the Government of Pakistan for any tour of India, including match venues.”
The board said it is contacting the government for guidance, and will update the event authority – the ICC – as soon as it hears from them.
“This position is in line with what we conveyed to the ICC a few weeks ago when they shared the draft schedule with us and sought our feedback,” the PCB spokesperson added.
Ten teams will battle it out for the coveted title at 10 venues from October 5 to November 19, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the tournament’s opening match and the final.
The tournament will be played in a round-robin format in which all teams will play a total of 45 league matches against each other.
The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held in Mumbai on November 15 and Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and finals will have reserve days.
“We are delighted to announce the schedule for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 which is always a huge occasion before any global event,” said Geoff Allardyce, ICC Chief Executive.
“Hundreds of fans around the world will be a part of what we hope will be the biggest men’s cricket World Cup ever and we know the teams in India will enjoy a uniquely electrifying atmosphere culminating in It will be accompanied by the lifting of the trophy of the winners in the biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in the world.
Here is Pakistan’s schedule for ICC World Cup 2023:
October 6 – vs Qualifier 1 in Hyderabad
October 12 – vs Qualifier 2 in Hyderabad
October 15 – vs India in Ahmedabad
October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru
October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru
November 12 – vs England in Kolkata
