Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India continues to remain under dark clouds due to political reasons between the two countries. The long-standing tension and conflicts between the two neighboring countries have cast a shadow over Pakistan’s participation.
Their participation in the marquee event looked all but confirmed after the Asian Cricket Council accepted the hybrid model. However, the Men in Green are still waiting for the permission from the Pakistani government to confirm their participation in the World Cup. The development comes just a couple of days after the ICC finally announced the schedule for ICC World Cup 2023.
Plan B if Pakistan boycott World Cup 2023:
While Pakistan are still expected to visit India for the World Cup, there is a possibility that they might decide against it. And according to reports, the ICC has already started planning for the it. The governing body of the game has contingency plans in case Pakistan decide against traveling to India.
Reports suggest that if Pakistan don’t participate in World Cup 2023, they will be replaced by the third-ranked team from the qualifiers in Zimbabwe. As of now, eight teams have booked their spots in the World Cup through the ODI Super League while the remaining two spots will be decided by the ongoing Qualifiers.
West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Oman have qualified for the Super Six stage. The top four teams will then make it to the semifinals before the winners play the final. The finalists will seal their spots in the World Cup. And a third team can qualify too if Pakistan eventually decide to boycott the marquee event in India.