In order to compete in the 50-over World Cup, which will be held in India in October and November of this year, Pakistan has made the decision to send a team.
“Pakistan has emphasized without wavering that politics and sports should not be intermingled. In order to compete in the next ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, it has so chosen to send its cricket team to India, according to a statement from the Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday.
Following a committee meeting last week, Inter-provincial Coordination Minister Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari informed Dawn.com that it had been resolved to bring up concerns about the team’s security with the ICC.
He had stated that a guarantee for the team’s security would be requested from the ICC.
As a result of today’s decision, Pakistan will now play for the first time in seven years, in India. Today’s long-awaited decision comes after weeks of uncertainty around Pakistan’s World Cup participation as the government took its time clearing the team’s trip to India due to security concerns.
According to the FO’s statement, Pakistani authorities continue to express “deep concerns” regarding the security of their cricket team while playing in India.
“We are raising these issues with the Indian government and the International Cricket Council (ICC). We anticipate that the Pakistan cricket team’s complete safety and security would be provided throughout its journey to India, according to the statement.
“Pakistan believes that fulfilling its international sporting obligations should not be hindered by the state of bilateral relations with India,” it continued.
Pakistan’s choice demonstrates its a sensible and constructive approach should be taken in light of India’s adamant stance, which prevented it from sending a cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
