Islamabad: According to local media reports, the Pakistan government has established a high-profile committee led by Foreign Minister Bilawala Bhutto-Zardari to deliberate the country’s participation in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, set to commence in India this October.
As per sources cited by Pakistani media outlet Geo News, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed the committee to determine whether Pakistan should send its national cricket team to India for the prestigious tournament. The decision comes after the Pakistan Cricket Board sought clearance from the government for the country’s participation in the World Cup matches scheduled to be held in India.
In addition to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the committee comprises Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, heads of national security institutions, and the foreign secretary.
According to the schedule released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on June 27, Pakistan is slated to play its first World Cup match on October 6 against Qualifier 1. The much-anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Earlier, Espncricinfo reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board had written to Prime Minister Sharif and the country’s Interior and Foreign Ministers, seeking official clearance for the team’s travel to India for the World Cup. The board also inquired about any reservations regarding the five venues designated to host Pakistan’s matches.
The report further mentioned that the PCB requested information on whether the Pakistani government intends to send a security delegation to assess the facilities and arrangements in India before granting clearance for the team’s participation in the showpiece event.
In a related development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that Indian players will not be travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to begin on August 31, due to security concerns raised by the Indian government. Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board has adopted a hybrid model, with four matches to be held in Pakistan and the remaining games in Sri Lanka.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal are set to compete in 13 thrilling One Day International (ODI) matches from August 31 to September 17, 2023.
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