ICC refuses claims of Pakistan playing their World Cup matches in Bangladesh: Report

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International cricket body (ICC) has dismissed the reports of Pakistan wanting to play their 2023 World Cup, hosted by India, matches in Bangladesh due to the current political tension between the two neighbouring nations, reported news agency PTI.

Earlier, reports surfaced that ICC officials discussed the possibility of Pakistan playing their league games in Bangladesh during a recent board meeting in Dubai. However, an ICC official refused the claim, calling it a 'figment of imagination'. The source also refused to acknowledge if PCB and Bangladesh Cricket Board had an informal discussion.

"No one knows if PCB chief Mr Najam Sethi has had any informal discussion with his Bangladeshi counterpart Najmul Hasan Papon but this can be said with a degree of certainty that no such discussions happened officially that Pakistan will play in Bangladesh," an ICC source told the news agency.

The source did point out that procurement of visas was an issue that was discussed and, contrary to conjectures made from the PCB's part, the Indian cricket board has assured of all assistance.

"The BCCI has categorically said that there will be no problems with the procurement of visas. One of the main points for a host country is that all participating nations will be given visas on time. From ICC's part, Bangladesh is not even in its scheme of things as a co-host as of now," the source said.

Cricbuzz further reported that either Delhi or Chennai are seen as the venue for much-awaited India vs Pakistan match during the World Cup. The Indian cricket board has chalked out 12 cities to host 48 games during the quadrennial event with the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium is likely to host a semifinal at least.

However, ICC's general manager Wasim Khan, who previously served as the CEO of PCB, told a local news channel in his country that the Babar Azam-led side won't play their matches in India and will play at a neutral venue instead. He also added that upcoming Asia Cup is likely to be played at a neutral venue while he is uncertain about Pakistan hosting it.

"I don't know if it would take place here in a different country but a neutral venue is highly likely," Wasim Khan said on Monday. "I don't think that Pakistan will play their matches in India. I think their matches will also be held at a neutral venue just like India's Asia Cup matches."

PCB, under their former chief Ramiz Raja, earlier threatened to pull its national team out of the ICC World Cup in India after Jay Shah-led Asian Cricket Council announced the decision to move the Asia Cup out of Pakistan, who were earlier granted the hosting rights.

Current PCB chief Sethi has loosened his stance on the matter and has been making his effort to find a solution that pleases both parties, including the possibility of India playing their matches at a neutral venue.

With inputs from PTI