Pakistan’s Participation in ODI World Cup in India Uncertain: PCB Non-Committal

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed uncertainty regarding Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in India. Najam Sethi, Chairman of the PCB’s Management Committee, sheds light on the limitations in providing a definite answer and emphasizes the pivotal role of the government in making the final decision.

PCB’s Non-Committal Stance

In response to queries about Pakistan’s involvement in the ODI World Cup in India, Sethi admitted, “I don’t have an answer to that.” He clarified that the PCB cannot approve or disapprove of the team’s travel to India at this stage. The decision lies with the Pakistani government, similar to the decision-making process in India. Sethi explained that the final determination of whether Pakistan will participate will be made closer to the event, and the government will dictate the permissible venues.

Sethi also highlighted the presence of technical issues that complicate the decision-making process. The deadline for responding to the ICC regarding the draft schedule has passed, yet the final tournament schedule has not been announced. This uncertainty further adds to the ambiguity surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to commence in October-November in India.

Government’s Authority in Decision-Making

Emphasizing the role of the respective governments, Sethi stated, “As far as India is concerned and Pakistan is concerned, neither can we make any decisions nor can the BCCI.” He referred to the 2016 incident when Pakistan toured India despite initial doubts. The final decision was reached after consultations with then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, followed by a security assessment of the venues.

Considering the political climate in Pakistan, Sethi deemed it premature to discuss Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup held in India. He indicated that discussions have not yet taken place due to uncertainties regarding the government in power during the event. Sethi reiterated that the decision rests solely with the government, and the PCB will approach them when the time is right. The PCB has already conveyed this information to the ICC, emphasizing that Pakistan’s participation hinges upon government approval based on prevailing security conditions.