India, Pakistan reach agreement to play World Cup match in Ahmedabad

Lahore, The Gulf Observer: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reached an agreement regarding the venue for the World Cup match between the two nations. According to a report by Dainik Jagran, Pakistan has now agreed to play against their arch-rivals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

Initially, Pakistan had expressed concerns about playing in Ahmedabad due to security reasons. However, after discussions and negotiations between the BCCI and PCB, a resolution has been reached. This decision comes after the BCCI agreed to accept the PCB’s proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup.

According to the hybrid model proposed by the PCB, the initial four matches of the group stage in the primary phase of the tournament will be played in Lahore, Pakistan. The subsequent phase, including matches involving India and the finals, will take place in Sri Lanka. This compromise allows for both countries to host matches and addresses the security concerns raised by Pakistan.

The PCB had previously threatened to boycott the Asia Cup and subsequently the ODI World Cup in India if their hybrid model was not accepted. To address these concerns, officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC), including Chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice, visited Lahore and held meetings with PCB officials to obtain a guarantee that the Pakistan team would travel to India for the 2023 World Cup.

In light of this guarantee, the BCCI decided to accept the PCB’s proposed hybrid model and hold the World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad. This match holds significant importance as it marks the first time since 2016 that the two rival nations will face each other on Indian soil.

The BCCI’s decision to choose Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium as the venue for this high-intensity game is driven by the anticipation of a large number of international fans traveling to India for the event. With a seating capacity of up to 100,000 spectators, the Narendra Modi Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in the country.

The report further added that Pakistan’s majority of World Cup matches will take place in Chennai and Hyderabad.

The BCCI has already sent the World Cup schedule to the ICC, and it is expected to be released by Wednesday. Cricket fans around the world eagerly await this high-profile match between India and Pakistan, which promises to be a thrilling contest showcasing the fierce rivalry between the two cricketing nations.