The Pakistani delegation is considering a visit to India in the last week of August to ensure the security of their national cricket team’s participation in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Yesterday, a meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto took place where it was decided that the team would only be sent to India after receiving a security guarantee. The issue of security will also be raised in the International Cricket Council.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto emphasized that the security of the national cricket team is of utmost importance, and there will be no compromise on it. The final decision regarding the team’s departure to India will be made based on recommendations from a committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The committee includes members such as Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the Management Committee of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah, among others, along with senior officials from sensitive agencies.
Regarding the World Cup schedule, there have been discussions about making some changes. The match between Pakistan and India, originally scheduled for October 15 in Ahmedabad, might be moved a day earlier to October 14. Similarly, the match between Pakistan and the Netherlands will be played in Hyderabad on October 6, while the second match against Sri Lanka, initially planned for October 12, is now scheduled for October 10.
Despite these considerations, no final decision has been made on the schedule changes, and there has been no confirmation from the ICC or the Indian Cricket Board yet.