The Chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi, has criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to schedule India vs. Pakistan World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Sethi believes that the move is politically motivated and aimed at discouraging Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.
The highly-anticipated match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 15, after India’s World Cup opener against Australia in Chennai. Sethi has been advocating for a hybrid model for the upcoming Asia Cup, which he believes would set a precedent for the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Sethi expressed his displeasure about the decision to hold the India-Pakistan match in Ahmedabad, calling it an indirect message to Pakistan not to participate in the World Cup. He further added that if the match was to be held in Chennai or Kolkata, it would have made more sense.
Sethi also pointed out that Ahmedabad could potentially pose security risks and questioned the decision to hold the match there. “Certainly there seems to be a political angle to this because if there’s one city where we might have security issues, it’s Ahmedabad,” he added. He also suggested that Ahmedabad was chosen as a venue to send a message to Pakistan, warning them about the consequences.
The World Cup presents a unique opportunity to promote the spirit of sportsmanship and create a positive environment for all participating teams. It is hoped that both boards can work together to ensure that the tournament is a success and that the focus remains on the sport rather than politics.