Karachi, July 01: Pakistan is making preparations to send a security delegation to India to inspect the venues for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup. The delegation will visit various cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.
The decision to send the delegation will be made by the government, including the foreign and interior ministries, after the appointment of the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the Eid holidays.
The purpose of the security delegation's visit is to assess the venues where Pakistan will be playing and to review the security and other arrangements made for the team during the World Cup. A representative from the PCB will accompany the delegation. The most significant match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place on October 15 in Ahmedabad, and the delegation will inspect the arrangements specifically for this match.
It is customary for the cricket board to seek permission from the government and send a delegation to inspect the venues before any tour to India. The delegation will engage in discussions with Indian officials and assess the security and other arrangements made for the players, officials, fans, and media who will be attending the tournament. If the delegation identifies any concerns or believes that playing at a different venue would be preferable, it will include these observations in its report.
The Pakistan Cricket Board will share the delegation's report with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) if any concerns or recommendations are raised. This ensures that the safety and comfort of the Pakistani players and other stakeholders are given due consideration.
A source from the PCB mentioned that during Pakistan's previous visit to India for the
T20 World Cup, a joint delegation from the government was sent to inspect the venues. Based on their recommendations, Pakistan's match against India, which was initially planned to be held in Dharamsala, was moved to Kolkata.
The final decision regarding Pakistan's participation in the World Cup will only be announced once the government grants clearance to the PCB. The ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held across ten Indian cities from October 5 to November 19.
- With inputs from agencies
