India: Pakistan to be given equal treatment in ICC World Cup

NEW DELHI:  The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said on Friday that the Pakistan cricket team would be treated on par with other nations participating in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup scheduled for October-November 2023.

According to The Express Tribune, the statement from the spokesperson of the Indian MEA came following Pakistan’s confirmation of sending its cricket team to India for the World cup, despite previous concerns about security.

“Regarding Pakistan cricket team’s security concern for travel to India: Pakistan’s cricket team will be treated just like any other country participating in the World Cup,” the spokesperson of the Indian MEA said in an official statement.

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As per the reports, the cricket world cup is set to take place in India during October and November. The eagerly-anticipated cricket match between Pakistan and India is scheduled for October 14 at the cricket stadium in Ahmadabad, Gujarat.

The decision of the Pakistan government to allow its cricket team to participate in the ICC World Cup was made based on the recommendations of a high-powered committee.

“Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics. It has, therefore, decided to send its Cricket Team to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023,” read a statement from the foreign office.

However, the statement expressed deep concerns regarding the security of the Pakistan Cricket Team during their visit to India.

“We are conveying these concerns to the ICC and the Indian authorities. We expect that the full safety and security of the Pakistan Cricket Team will be ensured during its visit to India.”

Meanwhile, India refuted claims by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that the in-person summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) had been canceled by New Delhi due to Pakistan.

The Indian MEA’s statement addressed the issue, saying, “We have spoken on more than three or four occasions on the different factors that led to SCO being held in virtual mode. It would be presumptuous of anyone to think that one factor or one person would have had a role to play.”