World Cup 2023: PCB lodges complaint with ICC over 'inappropriate conduct' against Pakistan players in Ahmedabad

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday lodged a formal complaint with the ICC regarding “inappropriate conduct” aimed towards the Pakistan team during their World Cup match against India in Ahmedabad.

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Not only was the PCB miffed with the Babar Azam-led side getting booed by the crowd at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium during the marquee clash on Saturday, they also included the delay in issuing visas to Pakistani journalists and fans in their complaint.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged another formal protest with the ICC over delays in visas for Pakistani journalists and the absence of a visa policy for Pakistan fans for the ongoing World Cup 2023,” read an official statement from the PCB.

“The PCB has also filed a complaint regarding inappropriate conduct targeted at the Pakistan squad during the India vs Pakistan match held on 14 October 2023,” the statement further read.

Besides Babar getting booed during toss ahead of start of play, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was allegedly heckled by the Motera crowd, getting subjected to “Jai Shri Ram” chants on his way back to the pavilion after getting dismissed off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling.

Pakistan cricket team director Mickey Arthur later said the match felt like it was a “BCCI event” rather than an ICC one, citing the lack of Pakistani songs being played at the venue including the famous ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’.

Read | ICC shoots down Mickey Arthur’s ‘bilateral series’ complaint 

India, meanwhile, dished out a comprehensive performance against arch-rivals Pakistan, collecting a comfortable seven-wicket victory to not only extend their hundred per cent start to the ongoing tournament, but to also stretch their winning streak against Pakistan in ICC World Cups.

Pakistan lost eight wickets for 36 runs to get bundled out for 191 after India skipper Rohit Sharma opted to field. Babar and Rizwan led the way with scores of 50 and 49 respectively, the pair adding 82 for the third wicket.

Read | IND vs PAK: On a day of wrong predictions, India get everything right

Rohit, in reply, led from the front with a 63-ball 86 and with Shreyas Iyer finishing the job for his side with an unbeaten 53 as India chased the 192-run target down with seven wickets and 117 deliveries to spare.