Pakistan delegates to visit India to assess ODI World Cup 2023 venues

The government will choose the exact date of the delegation's visit after consulting with the interior and foreign ministries.

Jul 2, 2023 - 10:10 Updated: Jul 2, 2023 - 20:05

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Pakistan delegates to visit India to assess ODI World Cup 2023 venues

According to the schedule released by the ICC, the eagerly anticipated ODI World Cup will be conducted across ten cities in India, beginning on October 5 and concluding on November 19, 2023.

However, reports indicate that Pakistan will dispatch a security delegation to India beforehand. This delegation's mission is to evaluate the venues and ensure that they are ideal for the team's games. Team Pakistan will only then be permitted to travel to India for the eagerly anticipated ICC ODI World Cup.

"After consulting with the interior and foreign ministries, the government will choose the precise date of the delegation's visit. The Times of India cites an official source of the Inter-Provincial Coordination (Sports) Ministry as saying, "This will occur following the conclusion of the Eid holidays, once the Pakistan Cricket Board's new chairman has been named."

The official explained that the security delegation, accompanied by PCB representatives, will evaluate the World Cup venues where Pakistan will compete.

"They will evaluate the security measures and other preparations of the team. The group intends to visit the World Cup venues in Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. The India-Pakistan match, scheduled for October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, is particularly significant," the official said.

Before a tour to India, the cricket board obtains permission from the government. Typically, this entails dispatching a delegation to inspect the venues and communicate with Indian officials. According to the official, the purpose is to discuss and evaluate the security and other arrangements for the players, officials, supporters, and media who will be attending the tournament.

If the delegation identifies any concerns or determines that it would be preferable for Pakistan to play at a different venue, these observations will be included in their report. This report will be shared with the ICC and BCCI in order to resolve any concerns raised by the delegation.

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During Pakistan's previous trip to India for the T20 World Cup, a combined committee was sent by the government to appraise the venues, according to a PCB source. Their recommendations led to the relocation of the Pakistan vs. India match from Dharamsala to Kolkata.

The source emphasized that Pakistan's ultimate participation decision in the World Cup will not be made public until the government grants the PCB permission. This is a standard procedure for all tours to India, pertinent to other sports as well as cricket.