ODI World Cup 2023: Pakistan cricket team receives government approval to travel to India
The men’s cricket team from Pakistan will visit India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, the country’s ministry of foreign affairs announced on Sunday. The foreign ministry claimed in a statement that “bilateral relations” with India won’t interfere with Pakistan cricket’s obligations abroad.
“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,” a statement from the foreign ministry read.
“Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations.”
Pakistan cricket team receives government approval to travel to India for 2023 ODI World Cup
It’s interesting that the Asia Cup, which was initially supposed to be hosted by Pakistan, is followed by the ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka was chosen as one of the co-hosts for the continental tournament, and all of India’s games were scheduled there as a result of the BCCI’s unwillingness to send the Indian team to the country. The foreign ministry made sure to remind India of the deed in its statement.
“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,” the statement read.
Pakistani officials visited various locations where the team is set to play in World Cup games in recent weeks to inspect security measures. After the 2016 T20 World Cup, a Pakistani men’s team won’t be visiting India till this time. The last bilateral series Pakistan played occurred between December 2012 and January 2013, which also happened to be the final series between the two nations. Since then, only international (World Cup, Champions Trophy) and continental (Asia Cup) competitions have seen both countries play each other.
However, this year’s spectators may expect to see a lot of India-Pakistan matches because the two teams are paired together in the Asia Cup’s “Group A” and may face each other three times. The World Cup match between the two teams is planned for October 15 in Ahmedabad, but the date may alter for security reasons.
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