ICC relocates Pakistan team to new hotel

Amid growing concerns raised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Pakistan cricket team has changed their hotel in New York just days before their crucial match against India. As is often the case, India has been granted special privileges by the ICC in this World Cup, including accommodations closest to the stadium.

The 2024 T20 World Cup has faced a barrage of complaints towards the ICC even before it has fully kicked off. Issues regarding pitch conditions and outfields have now been overshadowed by accusations of mismanagement related to team accommodations. The distance between team hotels and venues has become a significant concern.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his dissatisfaction to the ICC and managed to convince the event organizers to change the hotel for the Pakistan cricket team. He made it clear to the ICC that he would not allow the Pakistan team to undertake long-distance travel for any matches during the T20 World Cup, including those on June 9 and June 11 in New York.

While the Indian team is staying just 10 minutes away from Nassau County Stadium in New York, other teams have been allocated hotels over an hour away from the venue.

Naqvi informed the ICC that if the Pakistan team's hotel was not changed, he would arrange for a more suitable and convenient location at PCB’s expense to ensure players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are well accommodated.

Following their first World Cup match defeat against South Africa, the Sri Lankan team also raised similar complaints against the ICC. Maheesh Theekshana alleged that the Sri Lankan team, like several others, was being deprived of adequate facilities and accused the ICC of treating them unfairly.