Pakistan Will Play Wherever They Are Assigned To Play: Wasim Akram

The World Cup will start on October 5 with a highly-anticipated clash between England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Wasim Akram working for television talks before the DP World ILT20 between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Desert Vipers at Zayed Cricket Stadium. ( Image Source :Getty )

Former Pakistan legend Wasim Akram feels Pakistan will play in India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, per the 2023 World Cup schedule announced on Tuesday. The ICC on Tuesday declared the full fixture alongside the 10 venues for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

“There’s no issue with it. Pakistan will play wherever they are assigned to play. Simple. This unnecessary stress of ‘we won’t play in Ahmedabad’…you ask Pakistani players, they don’t care wherever their schedule comes,” Akram told reporters.

The World Cup will start on October 5 with a highly-anticipated clash between England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“I’m all for egos. If you have an ego and understand that what’s happening is wrong, then speak up. But again, move on then. Always plan it, always think if we can do it? Can we finish what we’ve planned to do? If we can’t, then don’t do this. It ends up becoming a cause for laughter. We’re all patriotic for our country. And they will be for their country. No doubt about it. But end of the day, it’s only a game. Governments will speak to each other, that’s their problem,” the former Pakistan pacer added.

Earlier, before the announcement of the World Cup 2023 schedule, the Pakistan Cricket Board did not want to come to Ahmedabad to play a game against India and also Afghanistan in Chennai and Bengaluru. But then the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the International Cricket Council did not agree to Pakistan's request. 

Talking about the 2023 World Cup, the Babar Azam’s team will start their campaign on October 6 in Hyderabad as they will be taking on the team that will be coming through the Qualifiers, followed by a clash against the second team that enters through the Qualifying stages on October 12 at the same venue before taking on India in what will be a high-voltage spectacle at the world's largest cricket facility in Ahmedabad.