Pakistan’s government must approve participation in the 2023 World Cup in India
The Pakistani government must approve the team’s participation in the 50-over World Cup later this year in India.
Following the distribution of a draught schedule to all participating nations last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by its chairman Najam Sethi, reportedly wrote to the ICC to emphasise that they cannot unilaterally accept the fixture list.
“We have informed the ICC in writing that we are unable to endorse or criticise this (the World Cup schedule).” Just like their government determines when Indians go to play, our government must make that decision, according to Sethi.
“Asking us whether we’ll perform in Ahmedabad is pointless. When the time comes, first we’ll determine whether we’re going or not, and then the government will choose our destination,” he said.
The tentative itinerary is for the World Cup to begin on October 5 at several locations around India. On October 15 in Ahmedabad, India will meet bitter rivals Pakistan in a mouthwatering match. Pakistan will play over a total of five sites during the league round of the competition.
Notably, the release of the World Cup schedule has been delayed in an unusual way. Itineraries for the World Cup are typically released at least a year in advance.
Sethi speculated that the reason for the delay may be that the PCB needed more time to react after the ICC had requested input on the World Cup schedule from the boards of all participating nations and its broadcasters. He did not provide a deadline for when the Pakistani government would respond.
The BCCI was going to release the timetable, but we informed them that we couldn’t confirm anything without government consent, according to Sethi.
“I brought up the matter with the prime minister, but they didn’t think it through. The PM said that it would be premature to request authorization at this time since they would need to consult with the foreign office as well. There is now no progress since we are unsure about the people in power by that time. However, the moment will come when we would ask them [if we may travel India] once there is a stable administration.
We have also informed the ICC that, given the security situation, if our government permits us to go, we will do so; otherwise, we won’t be able to do anything. But if they grant us permission, we may choose the place based on our preferences. We defer to the government’s decision since it is not the board’s to make. Both the PCB and BCCI are indecisive. Just like we did in 2016, our separate governments will make that decision, he said.
With the Asia Cup beginning on August 31, India and Pakistan will play each other multiple times during the next months. In a hybrid hosting arrangement, four of the tournament’s matches will take place in Pakistan and the other nine in Sri Lanka.
