Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still awaiting clearance from the Pakistan Government to confirm their participation at the World Cup 2023. As part of the process, the PCB might send a security team to assess the WC venues. Babar Azam’s side plays at 5 venues – Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
“The board requires the Government of Pakistan’s clearance for any tour to India, including the match venues. We are liaising with our government for guidance, and as soon as we hear something from them, we will update the Event Authority [ICC],” a PCB spokesperson said as per Cricket Pakistan.
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In addition to engaging with the ICC on the venues, the PCB may also commence the process of involving the government to get the requisite approvals for their participation in the tournament.
Pakistan World Cup 2023 Schedule
- October 6: Pakistan v Qualifier, Hyderabad
- October 12: Pakistan v Qualifier, Hyderabad
- October 15: Pakistan v India, Ahmedabad
- October 20: Pakistan v Australia, Bengaluru
- October 23: Pakistan v Afghanistan, Chennai
- October 27: Pakistan v South Africa, Chennai
- October 21: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Kolkata
- November 5: Pakistan v New Zealand, Bengaluru
- November 12: Pakistan v England, Kolkata
The government’s reaction will determine the exercise’s timeline, which has not yet been set. Such security assessments are routinely carried out by some teams before significant events. Notably, the ICC decided to reschedule the 2016 World T20 match against India from Dharamsala to Kolkata in response to a security team report from Pakistan.
The PCB had earlier informed the ICC and BCCI about its reservations regarding playing in Dharamsala, based on recommendations from Pakistan’s security delegation that had visited India at the time.
Pakistan will play India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15. Should an India Pakistan semi-final clash happen, the game will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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