Pakistan will ship their cricket staff to India for the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup in October-November this yr, ending months of uncertainty over the nation’s participation.

“Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned in a press release. “It has, therefore, decided to send its cricket team to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations.

“Pakistan’s choice exhibits its constructive and accountable strategy vis-à-vis India’s intransigent perspective, because the latter had refused to ship its cricket staff to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

While the assertion successfully ensures Pakistan will take part within the World Cup, it additionally prompt vital areas of divergence stay. ESPNcricinfo understands Pakistan has not but taken a choice on whether or not they may comply with take part within the group stage recreation in opposition to India in Ahmedabad, or demand to have it moved elsewhere. The assertion, nevertheless, doesn’t point out a need for a change of venue.

The assertion additionally signalled an absence of full confidence within the safety preparations for Pakistan on the World Cup. “Pakistan, however, has deep concerns about the security of its cricket team,” the assertion mentioned additional. “We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council and the Indian authorities. We expect that full safety and security of Pakistan cricket team will be ensured during its visit to India.”

ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB will attain out to the ICC for safety ensures as soon as there may be extra readability on preparations.

The World Cup schedule has been hit by several delays and tweaks. Pakistan’s fixture in opposition to India was brought forward by a day to keep away from a conflict with the Hindu competition of Navaratri. That created a knock-on impact, with Pakistan’s earlier recreation in opposition to Sri Lanka on October 12 moved to October 10 to present them sufficient time to organize, preparations that the PCB agreed to. The PCB accepted these date adjustments to their fixtures.

On Saturday, ESPNcricinfo reported that the Cricket Association of Bengal had requested the BCCI to have Pakistan’s game against England moved from November 12 to November 11, to keep away from a conflict with one other Hindu competition, Kali Puja.

The PCB has privately expressed frustration on the potential change of date for the England fixture, and the fixed rejigging of fixtures affecting Pakistan. It is known there was no communication between the PCB and the BCCI concerning the fixture change, and no readability on when a choice will likely be reached or how will probably be communicated to the PCB.

The World Cup is scheduled to start with reigning champions England taking over New Zealand On October 5, and finish on November 19, however there may be nonetheless no replace on when the tickets will go on sale.