It’s official: Pakistan will play Cricket World Cup in India

FO says govt takes principled stand that sports should not be mixed with politics

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan cricket team will travel to India for the coming ICC Cricket World Cup, the Foreign Office announced on Sunday, ending months of uncertainty looming over the team’s participation in the mega event.

The decision was taken by the government on the recommendation of a high-powered committee headed by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The matter arose on the back of the current state of ties between the two neighbours.

“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,” a Foreign Office statement read.

On Thursday, the committee, in a meeting at the Foreign Office, had linked Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup with the International Cricket Council (ICC) providing fool-proof security for the team.

Read Pakistan’s World Cup participation in India all but certain

The Express Tribune first broke the story last week that majority of the committee members were in favour of sending the team to India, though some members pushed for a hybrid model – Pakistan play its matches at a neutral venue.

However, the proposal did not get much traction as most members of the committee were of the view that ICC would never accept such a suggestion.

Hence, the committee had decided with consensus that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would write a letter to ICC seeking firm guarantees of the team’s security.

​​​​​​​The proposal was discussed with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who formally approved Pakistan’s participation. Official sources said all stakeholders including the security establishment were on board and decision to send team to India was unanimous.

Read more Pakistan, India likely to clash on 2nd and 10th September in Asia Cup

Meanwhile, the official readout explained the rationale behind Pakistan’s decision. “Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations,” the Foreign Office said.

“Pakistan’s decision shows its constructive and responsible approach vis-a-vis India’s intransigent attitude, as the latter had refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup,” it added.

The statement, however, expressed deep concerns about the security of the 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.”

The Cricket World Cup is scheduled for October and November in India. The high-voltage cricket match between Pakistan and India will be played on October 14 at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Gujarat is the home state of current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.