The ODI World Cup 2023, which will begin in October, will be held in India. The schedule for the same had already been made public by the Apex Cricket Council. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its discontent with the publicly disclosed schedule and made the decision to boycott the World Cup, stressing that they would not travel to India if the tournament's venues were not chosen in accordance with their preferences. However, in the latest development, Shahid Afridi, former star cricketer for Pakistan, has advised PCB to visit India and win the competition rather than abstaining.
He said, “Pakistan should not boycott the World Cup. They should go to India and win the World Cup. The biggest challenge for me or any professional cricketer is to deal with the pressure of playing in India and performing in front of an Indian crowd.”
‘I don’t see any reason why we can’t do well in Ahmedabad’ – Shahid Afridi
“Overall we have enjoyed playing in India because if you do well in India, you get a different level of satisfaction and recognition,” the former all-rounder sighed. “Good venues have been found for the World Cup matches and it will be necessary for the team to plan properly. Our team is very good. There is also some great talent in the team. I don’t see any reason why we should not go to India and do well in Ahmedabad or any other venue,” he concluded.
Here's the full schedule for Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023:
- First match – Pakistan vs Qualifier 1, 6 October, Hyderabad
- Second match – Pakistan vs Qualifier 2, October 12, Hyderabad
- Third match – India vs Pakistan, 15 October, Ahmedabad
- Fourth match – Australia vs Pakistan, 20 October, Bengaluru
- Fifth match – Pakistan vs Afghanistan, October 23, Chennai
- Sixth match – Pakistan vs South Africa, October 27 – Chennai
- Seventh match – Pakistan vs Bangladesh, October 31 – Kolkata
- Eighth match, New Zealand vs Pakistan, 4 November – Bengaluru
- Ninth match – England vs Pakistan, November 12 – Kolkata
Here’s how fans reacted to Shahid Afridi’s statements:
And we will win inshallah
— ayat ♡ (@duayatipa) July 15, 2023
And win the Wc?? 😭 pic.twitter.com/jkEOpBGpKk
— Ujjawal (@barcablood_uzwl) July 15, 2023
Dekho boycott karne ki to inki aukaat hai nahi. Jitne ka pata nahi.
— Khush Thakkar (@Khush_Thakkar12) July 15, 2023
RR started pic.twitter.com/m5N8ie3guc
— Spookie (@Spookie07) July 15, 2023
Aukat h harane ki?
— Jannhvi ♡ (@janhvii_18) July 15, 2023
And we will win inshallah
— ayat ♡ (@duayatipa) July 15, 2023
Shahid Afridi before speaking : pic.twitter.com/ULhdACRBGg
— Abhay 🇮🇳 (@abhaysrivastavv) July 15, 2023
— Atharv Joshi (@THE_ATHARV) July 15, 2023