Despite resolving the Asia Cup 2023 venue dispute, uncertainties still loom over Pakistan’s participation in the ICC World Cup 2023 in India.
India’s initial reluctance to play in Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, which lasted over a month, resulted in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) contemplating a withdrawal from the World Cup 2023 slated in India. The issue was settled when the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) approved PCB’s proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup. However, the foreign ministry is scrutinizing Pakistan’s involvement in the World Cup.
In a recent statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that “politics should not interfere with sports.” Baloch expressed disappointment over India’s policy against playing cricket in Pakistan.
She announced, “We are closely monitoring and assessing all elements linked to our involvement in the World Cup, including the safety situation for Pakistani cricketers. We will present our opinions to the PCB in due time.”
The uncertainty around Pakistan’s involvement has left the World Cup dates and locations unconfirmed, with the tournament slated to start in just over three months.
Significantly, the Indian cricket team hasn’t toured Pakistan since 2008 due to strained diplomatic relations. The last bilateral series between the rival nations occurred in 2012 when Pakistan visited India for limited-overs matches.
Over the last decade, the two nations have only faced each other in multi-team competitions at neutral locations.
In related news, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari visited Goa, India, last month for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, marking a senior Pakistani leader’s first visit to India in nine years.
Read: Pakistan Likely to Participate in World Cup in India Following ‘Hybrid Model’ Acceptance
