Pakistan will send a cricket team to India in October-November this year for the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup, putting an end to months of speculation about the country’s participation.
“Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan stated in a statement. “As a result, it has decided to send a cricket team to India to compete in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.”
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Pakistan feels that the situation of bilateral ties with India should not prevent it from meeting its international sporting obligations.
Pakistan’s decision demonstrates its collaborative and responsible approach in contrast to India’s obstinate stance, which had refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
While the declaration virtually secures Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup, it also implies that considerable differences persist.
According to C2D, Pakistan has not yet decided whether to accept to play the group stage game against India in Ahmedabad or demand that it be shifted elsewhere. The statement, however, makes no mention of a wish to move venues.
The statement also expressed scepticism about Pakistan’s security measures for the World Cup. “However, Pakistan is deeply concerned about the safety of its cricket team,” the statement continued. “We have expressed our concerns to the International Cricket Council and the Indian authorities.” We anticipate that the Pakistan cricket team will be completely safe and secure throughout their tour to India.”
We believes that the PCB would contact the ICC for security guarantees once the arrangements are clearer.
Several delays and changes have been made to the World Cup programme. Pakistan’s match versus India was moved up a day to avoid clashing with the Hindu holiday of Navaratri.
As a result, Pakistan’s earlier game against Sri Lanka on October 12 was changed to October 10 to allow them ample time to prepare, which the PCB agreed to. The PCB agreed to make the date alterations to scheduled fixtures.
According to C2D resources, the Cricket Association of Bengal requested that Pakistan’s game versus England be changed from November 12 to November 11 to avoid a clash with another Hindu holiday, Kali Puja.
The PCB has privately voiced dissatisfaction with the likely date change for the England match, as well as the continual rescheduling of events impacting Pakistan.
There has been no contact between the PCB and the BCCI concerning the fixture modification, and there is no clarity on when a decision will be made or how it will be conveyed to the PCB.
The World Cup is set to begin with England taking against New Zealand, the reigning champions. The event begins on October 5 and ends on November 19, but there is no word on when tickets will go on sale.
