ICC wants to eliminate Pakistan? Aakash Chopra slams the decision to keep T20 World Cup 2024 matches in flood-hit Florida

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra, has expressed his concerns over the fate of the three group games of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, amid bouts of torrential rain in the region.

Severe flooding hit parts of South Florida due to heavy rainfall, prompting a flash flood emergency. The National Weather Service of the USA warned of “life-threatening flooding” and urged people to “stay off the roadways if possible” as the storm and heavy rainfall continue to cause people to suffer for the next few days.

The stranded cars were seen nearly entirely submerged underwater in Florida in the viral videos. After that, the Indian commentator questioned the decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to keep T20 World Cup 2024 matches in Florida despite the negative weather forecast.

Aakash Chopra slams ICC over ICC T20 World Cup 2024 matches amid Florida flood crisis

Well, despite the challenging weather, there's hope for the teams and fans in Florida. The first half of Thursday remained dry, offering a positive outlook for the three T20 World Cup 2024 Group A matches scheduled at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida.

Florida will host the USA versus Ireland match on June 14, and it will be a crucial one for the co-hosts, although a washout will propel them to the next round. The same venue will host the India versus Canada Group A match on June 15, followed by Pakistan versus Ireland on June 16.

While India already qualified for the Super-8 round of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, the last Group A match is very crucial for Pakistan, as they are hoping that at least two games should be possible for their qualification chances.

If rain plays spoilsport, then Pakistan's hopes of reaching the Super-8 will be over, and Chopra accused the ICC of planning to eliminate them from the T20 World Cup 2024 by not shifting the matches from Florida despite severe weather conditions.

He was concerned about the serious implications of flash floods causing havoc in the region, leading to significant loss of life and property. Chopra said it is a risky decision to host matches in Florida, as the stormy weather would not allow the matches to take place. Chopra also suggested Dallas can host those matches if ICC looks for the options.

He further emphasized that his concern goes beyond favoring any particular team like Pakistan or the USA; the primary issue is the safety and well-being of everyone under such adverse conditions.

Can these matches be shifted somewhere else? - Aakash Chopra to ICC

The former Indian cricketer emphasized that the possibilities of the matches proceeding under such circumstances are extremely slim, and Pakistan will be the team most affected by the ICC’s decision not to shift matches from Florida.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel: “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.

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.”

He signed off by saying, “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.”