The meeting of high-level ministers and government agencies in Pakistan to discuss the national team’s participation in the World Cup ended pleasantly. The committee, lead by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, expressed hope that Babar Azam’s squad will be given the same degree of security as they were during their 2016 trip of India for the Twenty20 World Cup. In the next weeks, a security delegation will tour the anticipated locations.
According to reliable sources in Pakistan, the committee has directed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to formally communicate with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about security concerns and the upcoming reconnaissance team visit. Despite continued tensions between the countries, the meeting’s overall tone favors sanctioning the team’s journey to India, emphasizing the independence of sports and politics. The foreign ministry will issue an official statement shortly.
The committee, appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was entrusted with advising the government on the team’s participation in the World Cup, which will take place from October 5 to November 19. Among those in attendance were Foreign Minister Bhutto Zardari, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Pakistan’s adviser Qamar Zaman Qaira, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar. Representatives from several security agencies are also said to have been present.
Pakistan’s games will be held at Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. According to the current schedule, their first match will be against the Netherlands in Hyderabad, followed by a highly anticipated match versus India in Ahmedabad on October 14.
The semifinals will take place in Mumbai and Kolkata. If Pakistan advances to the last four, their match will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This decision is backed by precautionary measures designed to ensure the team’s safe departure from Mumbai, where significant obstacles for the Pakistan side are anticipated.
