"This is not to favor Pakistan" - Aakash Chopra on whether the Florida games in 2024 T20 World Cup should be shifted
Aakash Chopra has questioned whether the International Cricket Council (ICC) should shift the 2024 T20 World Cup games in Florida to some other venue. He noted that the decision should be taken not to favor Pakistan but primarily for the fans.
Pakistan and the United States are scheduled to face Ireland in Lauderhill in flood-stricken Florida. A no-result in either game will knock the Men in Green out of the T20 World Cup and ensure a spot for the co-hosts in the Super Eights.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that the Florida conditions might not allow any cricket and that the call should be made to move the games not just to favor Babar Azam and company.
"I am going to start with a slightly tricky topic. There is actually a lot of merit in that but it won't be discussed that much. The Florida games might not happen at all. There are flash floods, the cars are floating, and there is loss of life and property, and matches have been kept there," he said (0:40).
"I am not saying matches have been kept there because they knew it's going to rain. However, the reality is that it's not just raining, it's a storm. The chances of matches happening are extremely low. It's not about what will happen with Pakistan or for the USA. This is not to favor Pakistan," the former India opener added.
Chopra noted that India are also scheduled to face Canada at the same venue and a lot of money is riding on every match.
While observing that the broadcaster will be in soup if multiple matches are washed out, he added that more than any particular team or the broadcaster, the cricketing fans need to be thought about.
"Dallas is a place where there is no rain and the ground is also good" - Aakash Chopra on a potential venue for Florida games to be shifted
![The USA stunned Pakistan in Dallas. [P/C: T20WorldCup/X]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/21250-17183377300531-1920.jpg?w=500)
While acknowledging that New York might not be a feasible venue, Chopra opined that the Florida games could be shifted to Dallas.
"Can these matches be shifted somewhere else? Dallas is a place where there is no rain and the ground is also good. They have already started dismantling the New York ground although they knew the Florida situation is very bad. They might not have been able to do that (move games to New York) because they might have their rules and it was a makeshift ground, but Dallas is actually a cricket stadium," he said (1:40).
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the impact on fans cannot be an excuse for not shifting the games.
"There are logistical issues because the fans have made their bookings and all their plans will be derailed if you make last-minute changes. However, you will not be able to have the match in Florida in any case. So if the match cannot happen at all, their plans will be derailed in any case," Chopra explained.
Chopra admitted that there might be some challenges in shifting the games and that there might not be too many spectators at the venue.
However, he concluded by saying that extraordinary circumstances demand extraordinary measures and this is one of them.