No Particular Security Arrangements for Pakistan at ICC World Cup
Indian Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, confirmed that Pakistan Cricket Team will be treated like all other teams participating in the tournament. Despite historical rivalries, Bagchi emphasized fairness and equality for all teams.
“We have seen these reports regarding the Pakistan cricket team’s participation in the upcoming ICC World Cup to be hosted by India. Pakistan cricket team will be treated just like the cricket team of any other country participating in the ICC Cricket World Cup,” Bagchi said.
Recently, Pakistan Cricket Board and Foreign Ministry expressed concerns over the national team’s security in India. In response, an MEA spokesperson said:
“Of course, we would hope that all necessary security will be provided not just to them but to all other participating teams.” “I hope that there is a good match and I hope this is not war as it seems to be made out to be,” he added.
Previously, Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 was officially confirmed after receiving approval from the Government of Pakistan. Pakistan will travel to India for the first time after the T20 World Cup 2016 to play international cricket. Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics. Therefore, it decided to send the cricket team to India to participate in the marquee event.
On Sunday, August 6, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs releases a press on their website which states:
“Pakistan has deep concerns about the security of its cricket team. We are conveying these concerns to the ICC, BCCI, and the Indian Authorities. We expect that full safety and security of the Pakistan Cricket Team will be ensured during its visit to India.” The press release also points to India’s uncompromising attitude, denying traveling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had also maintained that they will send a security team to India first, ensuring the safety arrangements for the team and reviewing the security of venues where Green Shirts will play their matches.
The much-awaited Indo-Pak clash at this year’s World Cup has been rescheduled to a different day. The match was initially scheduled in Ahmedabad on Sunday, October 15 but now will be held a day earlier at the same venue on Saturday, October 14. The details of eight other matches have also been changed.
Pakistan will open its campaign at the 2023 ODI World Cup against the Netherlands on Friday, October 6, 2023, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.
Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 Schedule:
- Pakistan vs Netherlands, October 6, Hyderabad
- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, October 10, Hyderabad
- Pakistan vs India, October 14, Ahmedabad
- Pakistan vs Australia, October 20, Bengaluru
- Pakistan vs Afghanistan, October 23, Chennai
- Pakistan vs South Africa, October 27, Chennai
- Pakistan vs Bangladesh, October 31, Kolkata
- Pakistan vs New Zealand, November 4, Bengaluru
- Pakistan vs England, November 11, Kolkata
