Following the decision of the impasse over the Asia Cup internet hosting, Pakistan is now anticipated to journey to India for the World Cup scheduled for October-November.The extremely anticipated match between India and Pakistan is more likely to happen in Ahmedabad on October 15.
Earlier than finalizing the World Cup schedule, the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) has sought enter from member boards, together with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), relating to the proposed itinerary.
A dependable supply throughout the PCB knowledgeable PTI that the board’s information, analytics, and workforce technique consultants have been tasked with evaluating the venues the place the ICC and BCCI have tentatively deliberate Pakistan’s matches for this main 50-over match.
“The PCB despatched the tentative itinerary for the workforce to the selectors/consultants who apparently should not comfy with among the Pakistan workforce’s scheduled matches and venues like they’ve reservations on Pakistan taking part in Afghanistan in Chennai and Australia at Bengaluru,” the supply stated.
If Pakistan had been to play in opposition to Afghanistan within the spin-friendly circumstances of Chennai, they must cope with formidable gamers like Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, who showcased their expertise for the Gujarat Titans within the 2023 Indian Premier League.
However, Bengaluru is understood for its batting-friendly circumstances, making it perplexing why Pakistan would have reservations about going through Australia on the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
In response to the PCB supply, the selectors, who’re additionally a part of the workforce administration, have suggested the board in opposition to accepting Chennai because the venue for the match in opposition to Afghanistan. Their concern stems from the historic and statistical proof that Chennai has favored spinners up to now.
“The suggestion is to ask the ICC/BCCI to reschedule Pakistan’s matches and play Afghanistan in Bengaluru and Australia in Chennai to the workforce’s energy,” the supply claimed.
Nonetheless, a BCCI supply stated the ICC asking members for strategies on the itinerary is a part of the protocol and there must be a robust motive for the venues to be modified.
“A member board can push for a venue change attributable to security causes like Pakistan did in 2016 once they travelled India for the T20 World Cup. When you begin expressing reservations over a venue as per your workforce’s strengths and weaknesses on the sector, then it turns into very powerful to finalise the schedule.
“So except there’s a sturdy sufficient motive, no modifications are made so far as the venues are involved,” stated the supply referring to the Indo-Pak contest in 2016 when the sport was shifted to Kolkata from Dharamsala.
Final month, the PCB introduced a brand new look nationwide choice committee which for the primary time had a secretary, supervisor analytics and workforce technique for the nationwide aspect in Hassan Cheema whereas additionally together with Mickey Arthur, who’s the nationwide males’s workforce’s director, and head coach Grant Bradburn.
Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed has stated that in a bid to embrace the necessities of contemporary day cricket the selectors could be relying closely on information and analytics to develop a workforce technique earlier than any match.
Requested about whether or not Pakistan had been keen to play their showpiece match in opposition to India at Ahmedabad, the PCB supply stated it was agreed upon roughly however a ultimate name would come from the federal government.
Pakistan workforce’s preliminary two qualifying matches are slated in Hyderabad for October 6 and 12.
The opposite venues the place Pakistan are anticipated to play in are Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
(With inputs from PTI)
