Pakistan’s Foreign Office is evaluating all aspects related to it Babar Azam-led team traveling for the ODI World Cup in India. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has so far been reticent about its chances of traveling to India for the mega event. This is the first time that the Government of Pakistan has publicly reacted to the matter. The announcement of the World Cup schedule has also been delayed due to lack of assurances from Pakistan, with just over three months left for the tournament to begin.
After the draft schedule of the World Cup was sent, the PCB had also written to the ICC that they could not clear the fixture list until the government cleared it. “We have received an official invitation from the Indian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister for the virtual meeting of SCO Heads of State to be held on 4th July.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told a weekly media briefing in Islamabad: “Pakistan will be represented at the summit. We will make an announcement regarding our participation in the coming days.” The spokesperson also expressed disappointment that India has decided not to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup which will now be played in a hybrid model. Furthermore, he said that the security situation in India will be reviewed and the government will soon inform the PCB about its decision.
“With regard to cricket, Pakistan is of the view that politics should not be mixed with sports. India’s policy of not playing cricket in Pakistan is disappointing. We are monitoring all aspects related to our participation in the World Cup and assessment, including the security situation in Pakistan.” “The cricketers and we will present our views to the PCB at the appropriate time,” the spokesperson said.