The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on August 11 (Friday) affirmed that no special arrangements will be made for the Pakistan cricket team and that Babar Azam's brigade will be treated just like any other country participating in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry, also reiterated that if Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is seeking any extra security arrangement then they need to speak with the organisers of the quadrennial competition or the security team.
"The Pakistan cricket team will be treated just like the cricket team of any other country participating in the ICC World Cup," said Bagchi.
"Of course, we would hope that all necessary security will be provided not just to them but to all other participating teams," he added.
Recently, Pakistan confirmed their participation in the World Cup after releasing a statement via their ministry of foreign affairs.
In a press release, Pakistan's foreign ministry expressed their concerns about the team's security, owing to the strained relations between the nations.
"Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics. It has, therefore, decided to send its Cricket Team to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023," the release said.
"Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations.
"Pakistan has deep concerns about the security of its Cricket Team. We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council and the Indian authorities. We expect that full safety and security of Pakistan Cricket Team will be ensured during its visit to India," read the full statement.
Since the time International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the 2023 World Cup schedule, Indian and Pakistan cricket fans have marked their calendars for the most mouthwatering fixture of the tournament. After a few tweaks, India and Pakistan are scheduled to lock horns on October 14 at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. The two arch-rivals are likely to renew their rivalry in front of more than one lakh fans in the stadium with over a billion people watching it on televisions across the world.
Before the World Cup, India and Pakistan are scheduled to cross swords at least twice in the 2023 Asia Cup, slated to begin by the end of August. The Men in Blue and the Men in Green will face each other on September 2 and September 10 (if both teams qualify for the Super 4 Stage). If both India and Pakistan play to their potential, the two teams are likely to square off once again in the final of the competition.
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