The government of Pakistan said on Sunday that the national cricket team would be permitted to compete in the World Cup in India, which will take place later this year, despite expressing “deep concerns” over the tournament’s safety.
The safety of Pakistan’s national cricket team is a major worry for the country. According to a statement released by the ministry of foreign affairs, “We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council and the Indian authorities.”
“During the course of the Pakistan Cricket Team’s visit to India, we anticipate that their complete safety and security will be ensured at all times,”
On October 15, a high-stakes game between Pakistan and India is scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, which is the hometown of Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have expressed concerns in the past about the prospect of playing in front of an audience that may be hostile at the Ahmedabad stadium, which has a capacity of 130,000 people.
After India’s refusal to send its squad over the border to compete in the next Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) even considered threatening to skip the World Cup altogether.
Due to India’s rejection, the Asia Cup was rescheduled to take place between August 30 and September 17 under a hybrid format, with just four matches being played in Pakistan and the other nine being played in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan has criticized India’s hard-line position on the matter of halting cricket links in response to the terrorist incidents that occurred in Mumbai in 2008.
Since 2012, these two nations have not competed against one another in a bilateral series; instead, they take part in only international competitions, the next of which will be the Twenty20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia in October 2022.
“Pakistan’s decision shows its constructive and responsible approach vis-à-vis India’s intransigent attitude,” the statement said, noting that India had declined to send their squad to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. “Pakistan’s decision shows its constructive and responsible approach vis-à-vis India’s intransigent attitude.”
India will play host to the 2018 FIFA World Cup from October 5 until November 19.
“Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics,” the statement from the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
“As a result, it has come to the conclusion that it will be sending its cricket team to India in order to compete in the Cricket World Cup 2023.”
In addition, the statement said that “Pakistan believes that the state of its bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations.”