NEW DELHI: Responding to a complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC) has relocated the Pakistan cricket team to a hotel closer to their T20 World Cup match venue in New York.
The PCB, led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi, expressed concerns about the team’s initial accommodation, which required a 90-minute commute to the stadium. This prompted the ICC to move the team to a hotel just a five-minute drive from the purpose-built stadium in Westbury, Long Island, significantly reducing travel time and improving convenience for the players.
The relocation aims to enhance the team’s preparation and minimize travel-related stress, crucial for their upcoming fixtures, including a highly anticipated match against arch-rivals India on Sunday and a game against Canada on June 11.
In comparison, the Indian team, also playing its group matches in New York, is staying in a hotel just a 10-minute drive from the stadium. India has already secured a win in their first match at this venue.
Similarly, the Sri Lankan team, which struggled in their opening match against South Africa, has raised concerns about their long commute, exceeding an hour from their designated hotel.
The Pakistan team will travel to New York after their opening Group A match against co-hosts the United States in Dallas on Thursday.
An anonymous PCB source shared details of the complaint and subsequent relocation with The Associated Press, emphasizing that the ICC’s decision underscores their commitment to addressing logistical concerns of participating teams, ensuring optimal conditions and reducing travel burdens during the tournament.
