“Please Play as per the ICC schedule”, Ex-Pak cricketer Basit Ali requested stubborn PCB.

The ICC World Cup 2023 schedule was released by the ICC on June 27, 2023, and since then, PCB’s push to change the venues of the two matches in India has been criticized not just by other boards but by Pakistan’s ex-cricketers, as it is pure nonsense to request such a change. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali also reprimanded the PCB for such a demand. India and Pakistan are going to lock horns on October 15, 2023, at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, and though it’s 3 months until the rivals match, hotels around the stadium are already booked, and a huge crowd is expected to be in the stadium to watch the face-off between the two nations on the field. Pakistan’s participation in the ICC World Cup 2023 is confirmed as of now, but their adamant stance to change the venues is not supported by ex-Pak cricketers Basit Ali is one of them.

This year India is going to host the entire World Cup for the first time, as three times earlier India has hosted the event jointly with other nations. A total of 10 venues across India are selected for the matches, and 10 teams are going to battle for the ICC trophy. India has the advantage of home conditions and crowd support, which is a golden chance to end the ICC trophy drought. Ex-Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali is not happy with the PCB’s stance and thinks that it is a golden opportunity for Pakistan to defeat their arch rivals at home as India would be the one under pressure to perform on the field, not Pakistan. On his YouTube channel, he said this in a video.

I am hearing on news channels and YouTube that Pakistan may not be willing to play their matches in Ahmedabad and one more venue. Why not? ICC’s schedule for the World Cup is a huge advantage for Pakistan. If 1,25,000 come to attend the match in Ahmedabad, the pressure is on India, and not Pakistan. If India was to play the Asia Cup in Pakistan, then pressure would have been on Pakistan,”

I don’t know why people can’t understand this simple thing. And Afghanistan is a weak team – yes, they have good spinners – but wherever the schedule has been finalised, just play. This is nonsense. I keep hearing that Pakistan may not get the permission. Of course, they will. Boss, it’s not some local tournament. It’s a bloody World Cup.”

Basit Ali said in his YouTube video

Read More: Rishabh Pant factor would be an advantage for India if he recovers