Putting aside political tensions, the Pakistan cricket team has officially announced its participation in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, to be held in India. The decision, endorsed by the Foreign Office, came after a high-powered committee, headed by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, recommended the team’s participation contingent upon receiving foolproof security guarantees from the ICC. Despite concerns about the security situation, Pakistan is determined to fulfill its international sports obligations.
In a resolute statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday, Pakistan confirmed its cricket team’s participation in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, hosted by India. The decision comes after weeks of uncertainty due to the tense state of relations between the two neighboring countries.
Pakistan’s stance on sports and politics was reiterated in the statement, emphasizing that the two should remain separate. “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 FO declared.
The final decision was taken by the government following the recommendations of a high-powered committee led by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The committee convened at the foreign office, where Pakistan’s participation was linked to the ICC providing robust security arrangements for the team.
An initial proposal of playing matches at a neutral venue did not gain much support among the committee members, who believed that the ICC would not accept such an alternative. Instead, the committee agreed unanimously that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would write a letter to the ICC seeking firm guarantees of the team’s safety during the tournament.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was consulted on the matter, and he formally approved Pakistan’s participation in the Cricket World Cup. All stakeholders, including the security establishment, expressed their support, leading to a unified decision to send the team to India.
Pakistan’s decision to participate in the tournament despite strained bilateral relations with India showcases the country’s constructive and responsible approach, as highlighted by the FO. This decision comes in the backdrop of India’s refusal to send its Cricket Team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, raising concerns about the security of the visiting Pakistani team.
The FO expressed deep concerns about the security of the Pakistan Cricket Team during its visit to India and pledged to convey these concerns to the International Cricket Council and the Indian authorities. The Pakistani side expects that full safety and security will be ensured during their stay in India.
The highly-anticipated match between Pakistan and India is scheduled to take place on October 14 at the iconic Ahmedabad cricket stadium in Gujarat, the home state of the current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Despite the existing tensions, cricket enthusiasts across the globe eagerly anticipate the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, hoping that the tournament will foster sportsmanship and goodwill between the participating nations.
