ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan Government Confirms Babar Azam-led Team's World Cup Participation In India

The Babar Azam-led Pakistan National Cricket Team are all set to travel to India to participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, confirmed the Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, August 6.

The high-octane IND vs PAK clash at the World Cup was set to be held on October 15 at the world’s biggest cricket stadium – Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, it will be now held on October 14 at the same venue.

Reportedly, the decision to change the date was made due to the Hindu festival of Navaratri as local police were concerned that it would be difficult to provide adequate security on October 15. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah denied those reports and stated that a few full members nations requested the dates of their matches to be changed.

There were some question marks over the Men In Green’s participation in World Cup and Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif formed a Bilawal Bhutto-headed committee to make the decision on the team’s World Cup participation.

Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics – Official Statement

Now, the Pakistan government has given a green signal to the PCB to send its team to India for the World Cup. In a statement, the foreign ministry stated that sports should not be mixed with politics.

“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. Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations,” the statement read.

It was further mentioned that “Pakistan has deep concerns about the security of its Cricket Team” in India.

“Pakistan’s decision shows its constructive and responsible approach vis-à-vis India’s intransigent attitude, as the latter had refused to send its Cricket Team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.”

“Pakistan, however, has deep concerns about the security of its Cricket Team. We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council and the Indian authorities. We expect that full safety and security of Pakistan Cricket Team will be ensured during its visit to India,” the press release concluded.