ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) through the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has officially written a letter to Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif regarding three issues regarding Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup. Government approval has been sought. It was held in India in October this year.
The main objective of the letter, a copy of which was also shared with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, is to seek the government’s approval for India to host the World Cup.
The PCB has also requested the government to review the expected security at the five venues offered to Pakistan for World Cup matches.
When contacted, a PCB spokesperson said, “PCB has formally approached the government to provide guidance on its participation in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.”
“Immediately after the announcement of the World Cup schedule, we wrote a letter to our Patron, Honorable Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif through the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), copies of which were sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior. And requested clearance. Participate in the World Cup,” he added.
In a letter sent on June 27, the PCB had also sought advice from the government regarding the venues.
ICC has allocated five spots for Pakistan.
- October 12 – Qualifier at Hyderabad Vs
- October 15 – India Vs at Ahmedabad
- October 20 – vs Australia at Bengaluru
- October 23 – Afghanistan vs. Chennai
- October 27 – vs South Africa at Chennai
- October 31 – Bangladesh vs Kolkata
- November 5 – New Zealand vs Bengaluru
- November 12 – vs England in Kolkata
If Pakistan reach the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata. The final will be held on November 15 in Ahmedabad.
“It is entirely up to the Government of Pakistan to decide what procedures they want to put in place and follow before advising us on the next steps. If it involves site inspections and meetings with event organisers. If an advance team needs to be sent to India to do so, it will be a decision of the government alone,” the spokesperson added.
In 2016, the government of Pakistan sent a three-member delegation to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016, after which the ICC moved Pakistan’s match against India from Dharamsala due to security reasons. Transferred to Kolkata.
