WC stakes fuel Pak-WI scheduling battle

The cricket boards of Pakistan and the West Indies have found themselves at odds over the proposal to convert three scheduled One-Day Internationals into T20 matches — a disagreement that could result in Pakistan cancelling the Caribbean leg of their tour. Pakistan is slated to play three T20Is against the West Indies in Lauderhill, Florida on August 1, 3 and 4, followed by three ODIs in Tarouba on August 8, 10 and 12.

However, the PCB has formally requested West Indies cricket board (CWI) to convert the ODIs into T20Is which could serve as preparation for next year's T20 World Cup.

PCB Sources confirmed with Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) that CWI has been unwilling to accept the proposal.

"The PCB wrote to CWI asking to switch the ODIs into T20Is, but they have neither replied nor shown any readiness to accommodate the request," one official revealed.

Officials in the West Indies camp reportedly believe they stand a strong chance of defeating Pakistan in the ODI format — an opportunity to improve their current tenth-place ranking. Pakistan are currently fourth in ODIs, while the West Indies languish in ninth. The stakes are significant: the top eight teams in the ODI rankings, along with hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, will secure direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

The remaining teams must battle through the qualifiers.

West Indies, once the dominant force in one-day cricket, missed out on the 2023 World Cup in India and were forced to qualify for the 2019 edition through a play-off.

"It has been a major setback for a side that won the first two ODI World Cups in 1975 and 1979, and finished runners-up in 1983 — all held in England," a source told www.telecomasia.net.

West Indies administrators believe playing more ODIs against higher-ranked opponents is critical to regaining lost ground and securing automatic entry into the 2027 event.

"They feel that if they can defeat Pakistan, it will significantly boost their ranking and improve their qualification prospects," the source added.

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