Pakistan is repeatedly threatening to withdraw from the World Cup to be hosted by India. Pakistan's Sports Minister Ehsan Mazari has said that he wants India to give up the demand of playing Asia Cup matches at a neutral venue, otherwise Pakistan too will not go to India to play in the World Cup. However, there are many reasons due to which it is not easy for Pakistan to boycott the ODI World Cup 2023.
Why is Pakistan threatening to boycott ODI World Cup 2023? The Pakistan Board has to conduct most of the Asia Cup matches in Sri Lanka due to India. In such a situation, the PCB wants to take revenge from India or at least wants to be seen doing so.
The second reason is that Pakistan wants to change the venues of some matches of its team in the World Cup. Pakistan team does not want to play against Afghanistan in Chennai on a spin-friendly pitch.
Third, the government of Pakistan and the PCB want to please the domestic audience. Pakistani fans are happy to know that even the Pakistan board is opposing India.
Finally, general elections are to be held in Pakistan by the end of this year. In such a situation, the Pakistani government wants to create its own vote bank by opposing India.
Pakistan will be isolated
But in the event of boycott, Pakistan will be isolated from the cricket world, because only events like World Cup, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup connect Pakistan with the world's cricket community.
After the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, major cricket teams started shying away from playing in Pakistan. Since last year, countries like Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England have started playing cricket in Pakistan, but still less cricket is played in Pakistan as compared to other countries. In the event of a boycott of an event like the World Cup, Pakistan can go into isolation.
ICC can also ban PCB
In the event of not playing the World Cup, the ICC can also ban the Pakistan Cricket Board. This ban on Pakistan can be imposed under disciplinary proceedings, as it is mandatory for all teams to participate in ICC events.
Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan will be in jeopardy
In the event of not playing the World Cup, the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan in 2025 will be in jeopardy, because in that case India will also not go to Pakistan to play the Champions Trophy. Successful organization of any ICC event is not possible without India because 80% of ICC events revenue comes from Indian audience. In this situation ICC can take away the hosting of Champions Trophy from Pakistan. Pakistan has got to host an ICC event after 29 years.
ICC may stop funding PCB
Most importantly, in case of boycotting the World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board may stop receiving funds from the International Cricket Council. 50% of PCB's total income comes from this fund. According to the ICC distribution plan, Pakistan Board is to get Rs 283 crore in the next 4 years. With such a huge amount getting stuck, every activity of the PCB will stop. The Pakistan Cricket Board is very much dependent on the funds it receives from the ICC.
Scotland can get place if Pakistan withdraws
But what will ICC do if Pakistan really boycotts ODI World Cup? In the absence of Pakistan, the team ranked third in the qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe is likely to get an entry in the World Cup. Right now only the top-2 teams of this tournament, Sri Lanka and Netherlands, have qualified for the World Cup. 8 teams including India are already qualified. If Pakistan does not come, then Scotland, who finished third in the qualifier tournament, will get a place in the World Cup.
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