The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will request the BCCI and the ICC for a security recce ahead of the World Cup 2023. The Pakistan Cricket Team are cleared to travel to India, but there remain security concerns. The 14-member panel raised concerns in particular regarding the IND vs PAK game in Ahmedabad.
“We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Indian authorities. We expect that full safety and security of the Pakistan Cricket Team will be ensured during its visit to India,” the Foreign Office said in its statement.
Also Read: No more hiccups, Pak Govt agrees to send Babar Azam and Co to India for World Cup 2023
As per GeoTV, Pakistan will reach out to India and the ICC about sending a security delegation. It added that if there is an agreement on sending a delegation, it will visit India in the last week of August. As per The Telegraph, PCB has already cast aspersions on the security at the Narendra Modi Stadium, considering the volatile nature of the contest.
“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 statement said.
It is important to note that a stampede-like situation escalated during the IPL 2023 Final at the same venue. Earlier, PCB had sought a written security guarantee from both the BCCI and ICC for their Pakistan Cricket Team’s safety during the World Cup 2023.
Pakistan’s PM had appointed a 14-member committee to discuss Babar Azam and Co’s participation earlier this week. Now they have been given the green light, even as the World Cup 2023 Schedule remains undecided.
The BCCI refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. As a result, the tournament had to be moved to Sri Lanka, with only four games in Pakistan. PCB was earlier insistent on not travelling to India in retaliation but has since softened its stance. Babar Azam’s team are scheduled to play at five venues — Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Calcutta, and Bangalore.
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