Islamabad: The Foreign Office (FO) took responsibility for providing fool-proof security and the right environment for Green Shirts during the mega event in New Delhi in response to India’s refusal to separate security arrangements for the Pakistan cricket team during its World Cup visit to the arch-rival nation.
FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at the weekly media briefing today. “We believe that it is their responsibility to provide fool-proof security and the right environment for our team to participate. An environment in which our players can participate without fear for their safety and without undue harassment by spectators in the stands.”
Arindam Bagchi, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson, indicated last week that the Pakistan squad would not receive special treatment. Pak Team is as essential to us as any other team. When needed, sufficient coverage will be supplied without preferential treatment.”
The Islamabad government approved the national team’s participation in the October-November World Cup in India.
Pakistan has always said sports and politics should not mingle. It has agreed to send its Cricket Team to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. However, the foreign ministry highlighted concerns about national team security in India.
Pakistan will play the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on October 6 to start their World Cup campaign. Day matches will commence at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), while day-night matches will start at 01:30pm.
Pakistan will play in Kolkata if they reach the semis. If India makes the semi-finals, they’ll play in Mumbai unless they play Pakistan in Kolkata.
