'It ends up becoming a cause for laughter' - Wasim Akram cautions PCB on ODI World Cup itinerary row

Over the last six months, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its desire to not participate in the upcoming ODI World Cup multiple times, if India denies to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. However, a lot has changed in due course as its recent demand now is to change the venue of the India vs Pakistan clash, which is scheduled to take place on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Speaking about the same, former Pakistan international Wasim Akram has stated that Pakistan cricket’s governing body has made a mockery of itself by commenting on the World Cup venues that were selected by the ICC (International Cricket Council) and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).

He eventually added that the Babar Azam-led side has no problem whatsoever with the schedule and thus requested PCB to stop commenting and let both governments speak to each other if required.

Wasim Akram not happy with unnecessary fuss over Ahmedabad as World Cup venue for India-Pakistan match

'Pakistan players don't care, they will play where they are scheduled to play'

Video courtesy: @Zubairnazeerex1 #WorldCup2023 #Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/boFNVbgIxu

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) June 27, 2023

“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," Akram told the reporters in a video uploaded by Cricket Pakistan.

“Pakistan players don't care, they will play where they are scheduled to play. 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,” he added.

Notably, the Men in Green will play Qualifier 1 on October 6 and Qualifier 2 on October 12 before travelling to Ahmedabad to play against India. Both the matches prior to that are scheduled to take place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad and after the game in Ahmedabad, they will play in Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata respectively.