WC 2023: Pakistan's participation in ICC ODI World Cup 2023 subject to government clearance: PCB official

Since the time the schedule for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 was announced, talks are buzzing around the much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still apprehensive about sending its team to India for the ODI World Cup but International Cricket Council (ICC) is “confident” that the Babar Azam-led team will compete in the 50-over showpiece. The ICC on Tuesday announced the fixtures for the October 5-November 19 tournament and rejected PCB’s request to not schedule their matches in Chennai and Bengaluru against specific teams. PCB did not want to play Afghanistan on a spin-friendly track in Chennai and also wanted to avoid facing Australia in Benglauru. As part of the announcement in Mumbai, it was confirmed that Pakistan will lock horns with India in Ahmedabad on October 15 and take on Australia (October 20) and Afghanistan (October 23) at pre-decided venues. Soon after the announcement, the PCB made it clear that its participation in the ODI World Cup will be subject to government clearance.