In a big boost to the Pakistan cricket team and their fans, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to get the required approval for sending their national team to the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI World Cup to be held in India from October 5-November 19, contingent upon a security delegation's visit to India and subsequent approval.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has established a committee tasked with evaluating and making decisions regarding Pakistan's participation in the World Cup.
The committee, chaired by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, is scheduled for its inaugural meeting on Thursday, with Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, expected to attend. Sources close to the committee anticipate that the committee will propose the dispatch of a high-ranking security delegation to India. This delegation will examine all venues where the Pakistani team is set to play its World Cup matches, assessing the security measures and other arrangements in place.
The committee, consisting of 14 members, incorporates various ministers and advisors, including the Foreign Minister, Interior Minister, Law Minister, Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister, Information and Broadcasting Minister, Advisor on Kashmir Affairs, Advisor on Establishment, the Foreign Secretary, and the PSPM. Representatives from secret agencies and other sensitive departments also form part of this committee.
According to the same source, there is, in principle, no objection to Pakistan participating in the games held in India. However, the committee seeks assurance that players, officials, fans, and the media will encounter no issues. The Pakistani team last journeyed to India for the World T20 Cup in 2016. The two nations have not participated in bilateral cricket since 2012-13, and the most recent Test series took place in India in 2007.
Meanwhile, the World Cup 2023 schedule is set to undergo major changes. As many as six matches are set to be rescheduled for the mega event later this year. Sports Tak has learned that the high voltage encounter between India and Pakistan is set to be preponed. Now, the clash between arch-rivals will be played on October 14 at the same venue.
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