In order to determine Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which will be held by India in October of this year, the federal government has established a committee under the direction of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
The primary responsibility of the committee would be to offer suggestions regarding Pakistan’s travel schedule to India. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will approve the nation’s participation based on that.
This is in response to PCB’s letter to the government from last week, which asked for guidance on whether the squad could travel to India and, if so, whether there were any concerns regarding any of the five locations.
In that same letter, the administration was also asked whether it wanted to deploy a security mission to India.
Committee To Decide
It will be decided by the committee whether Pakistan will go to Ahmedabad on October 15 to play India in their third league-stage match.
In addition, the committee will offer suggestions for Pakistan’s trip of the other four cities in India that they are scheduled to play.
Currently, Pakistan’s matches take place in Hyderabad against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, Ahmedabad against India, Bengaluru against Australia and New Zealand, Kolkata against Bangladesh, and Chennai against South Africa.
The group has members from all political parties and also includes the foreign secretary and the chiefs of the intelligence services.
The fact that the current administration still has 34 days remaining in its term in office and that the committee has members from all parties on it should act as a buffer against a change in leadership.
This is reportedly the first time a ministerial committee with such prominence has been formed for this reason.
Normally, the PCB consults with the foreign ministry before visiting India, but in this case, the diversity of ministries speaks to the larger stakes surrounding the ODI World Cup in India.
Pakistan’s participation in the tournament is pending official sanction, as it is with every ICC event, but particularly when it involves traveling to India.
Pakistan’s participation in the most eagerly awaited cricket match is still in doubt as relations between the two countries remain strained and security in the neighboring nation is a big concern.
To read our blog on “Cricket World Cup, Pak & India will clash on 15 Oct,” click here.
