Pakistan could reportedly play their ICC World Cup 2023 games in Bangladesh as their bilateral relationship with India continue to be at an all-time low. The bilateral cricket relation between the two countries is currently suspended due to political reasons.
While India have not visited Pakistan since 2008, the latter last visited India in 2016 for the T20 World Cup. The last Test series between the arch-rivals took place way back in 2007 while the last bilateral series between them happened in 2012/13 season. Since then, they have played against each other only in ICC tournaments or the Asia Cup.
Recently, reports emerged that India are likely to play their Asia Cup 2023 matches outside Pakistan while the latter will host the continental championship. BCCI secretary Jay Shah had already made it clear that India’s won’t visit Pakistan for Asia Cup and it looked like the tournament would be moved out of the country.
However, reports have suggested that Pakistan are likely to keep the hosting rights while India are expected to play their games at a neutral venue.
Pakistan to play their World Cup games in Bangladesh:
ESPNcricinfo has now reported that discussions have taken place that could see Pakistan playing its 2023 ODI World Cup matches in Bangladesh. The idea came up on the sidelines of the board meetings in Dubai, where India’s presence in the Asia Cup – and consequently Pakistan’s at the World Cup – were points on the agendas of both members.
The report stated that a formal discussion on the same is yet to take place. The PCB, however, wanted to point out that India not playing their Asia Cup games in Pakistan has a potential impact on the ICC’s Champions Trophy, due to be held in Pakistan in February 2025.
With the Asian Cricket Council likely to give nod to the proposal of India playing their Asia Cup games outside Pakistan, PCB proposed in informal discussions that the same solution could be applied to the World Cup as well. In recent times, the PCB has reiterated that their arrival in India for the World Cup will depend on BCCI’s decision on Asia Cup.
The upcoming 50-over World Cup is scheduled to be played in India from October 5. India will be hosting the tournament as the sole hosts for the very first time.