Misbah backs Pakistan team’s participation in ICC World Cup 2023
The event will be played in India
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq is hopeful that the Men in Green will participate in this year’s ICC World Cup in India.
The 49-year-old believes that it would be great injustice to the fans if they are deprived of the chance to watch the clash between India and Pakistan.
"When there can be contacts between the two countries in other sports, why not in cricket," Misbah said at a function in Karachi. "Why link cricket with political relations? It is unfair to deprive people of a chance to see their teams play against each other.
"It is great injustice to the fans who follow Pakistan and Indian cricket a lot.
"Certainly, Pakistan should be playing in the World Cup even in India. The many times I have played in India, we have enjoyed the pressure and crowds there because it gives you motivation and conditions in India suit us. Our team has the capability to do well in Indian conditions."
He also urged the Pakistan team to not pay too much attention to what’s happening off the field.
"What is happening outside their sphere, they should not think about it," he said. "The key to doing well in the World Cup in India is to get the playing XIs right at particular venues and against particular opposition."
It must be noted that Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has set up a high-profile committee in order to decide whether the Men in Green will travel to India for the Cricket World Cup in October-November 2023. The committee will be led by foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Here is Pakistan's schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:
October 6 - vs Netherlands in Hyderabad
October 12 - vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad
October 15 - vs India in Ahmedabad
October 20 - vs Australia in Bengaluru
October 23 - vs Afghanistan in Chennai
October 27 - vs South Africa in Chennai
October 31 - vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November 4 - vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November 12 - vs England in Kolkata
The day matches which will start at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30pm (PST).
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