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Xtra Time Web Desk: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down the request from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to swap the venues of forthcoming World Cup 2023 matches. According to a report in Cricbuzz, both ICC and BCCI held a meeting on Tuesday (June 20) and have officially informed PCB about their joint decision.  

What was PCB’s request? The Pakistan Cricket Board requested ICC to swap the Afghanistan and Australia games during the forthcoming World Cup 2023. In the draft schedule sent by BCCI to ICC, Pakistan was supposed to face Afghanistan in Chennai while Babar Azama and his boys were slated to play Australia in Bengaluru. The PCB asked the ICC to swap the two venues after the draft schedule of the World Cup.

However, both ICC and BCCI have stated that there is no reason to alter the venues at this stage. The venue selection, as it stands, is the prerogative of the hosts (BCCI), and the ICC's approval is required for any changes. A venue can only be changed if there is a security concern or if a venue is deemed not ready for hosting international matches. Chennai and Bengaluru are considered the safest options for Pakistan, offering the best facilities.

Also Read: ICC likely to release World Cup 2023 schedule on June 27 for this reason

Meanwhile, PCB’s request to shift the India versus Pakistan match venue in Ahmedabad is also likely to be turned down. There have been instances in the past when a venue involving Pakistan game had to be changed. For instance, during the 2016 T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s match in Dharamsala was shifted to Kolkata due to security reasons.

Venue changes have occurred in the past though. In 2016, the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup game had to be moved from Dharamsala to Kolkata due to security reasons.

The schedule of the 2023 World Cup will be officially released at an event in Mumbai next week. It has been already announced that the marquee event will start from October 5 and the final will take place on November 19 in Ahmedabad.