In the latest bit of news that adds more to the drama that is going on between India and Pakistan, the Pakistani government has said that they want to evaluate all possibilities of their participation in the upcoming ICC 50 over World Cup 2023 to be played in India in October and November this year.
While India is organising the 50 over World Cup after a gap of about 12 years, Pakistan have just lost hosting the full Asia Cup 2023 as India refused to travel to Pakistan citing security issues and differences that have been existing between the two governments for the last many years.
Pakistan, having lost the Asia Cup 2023 hosting rights to a large extent, I’m now back to playing politics as they have delayed approving the schedule which the Indian cricket board, BCCI and ICC has tried to give them for approval ahead of the World Cup.
Pakistan is now wanting to play specific matches at spellcheck venues which would benefit their players and make the team more favourites compared to the opponents. In a letter to the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board had requested to swap their matches against Afghanistan at Chennai Chennai and against Australia at Bangalore in the 50 over World Cup.
However, the ICC was not expected to change this schedule as it only makes modifications to programs or scheduled matches if there are security related concerns and as all or aware there are no security concerns in India for any cricketing and Pakistan are only trying to play politics or to say, delay the inevitable.
A spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of foreign affairs was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo,
“We have received the official invitation from the Indian prime minister to our prime minister for the virtual meeting of the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that is due to take place on the 4th of July. Pakistan will be represented at the summit. We will be making an announcement regarding our participation in the coming days.
“Regarding cricket, Pakistan is of the view that politics should not be mixed with sports. India’s policy of not playing cricket in Pakistan is disappointing. We are observing and evaluating all aspects relating to our participation in the World Cup including the security situation for Pakistani cricketers and we will offer our views to PCB in due course,”
the spokesperson added.
Following the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket regularly, their last one on one series taking place in 2013 when Pakistan had visited India for a limited overs competition. India has refrained from touring Pakistan as their last tour to the neighbours was in 2007.
The new chief of Pakistan Cricket Board Zaka Chaudhary had recently made news when he said that he would fight for Pakistan to get back full rights of hosting the Asia Cup, which he made on the day that was appointed but soon backtracked, saying that it was not possible to put up a fight so go to the execution of the tournament.
