PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): In a keenly-awaited decision, Pakistan has allowed its cricket squad to visit India for participation the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, scheduled for October and November this year.
The Foreign Office said: “Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics. It has, therefore, decided to send its team to India...”
Initially, the government had delayed approval of the team’s visit to India, citing security concerns. The South Asian neighbours have long been at odds on different issues.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan continued to have deep concerns about the security of its cricket squad in India.
It added: “We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Indian authorities. We expect full safety and security of the Pakistan team will be ensured.
“Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations.”
Following India’s refusal to play the Asia Cup in Pakistan, the latter’s participation in the World Cup was first put in doubt.
Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif constituted a committee led by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to take a decision on the issue.
Last week, the committee decided that concerns regarding the team’s security in India would be raised with the ICC.
Pakistan will be playing in India for the first time in seven years.
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