- Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The committee, which is led by foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will thoroughly analyse various aspects of relations between the two neighbours.
By: Shubham Ghosh
PAKISTANI prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has set up a high-level committee to determine whether the national cricket team will participate in the 50-over world cup to be held in India in October and November.
The committee, which is led by foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who visited India for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in May, will thoroughly analyse various aspects of relations between the two neighbours, the government’s policy of separating sports from politics and the prevailing conditions in India for players, officials, fans and media.
The committee will give its recommendations to Sharif following its deliberations.
It’s important to note that Sharif also serves as the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
While the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced the World Cup schedule and expect Pakistan to travel to India for the tournament starting on October 5, the PCB has communicated that the team’s participation is contingent upon government approval, given the tense relations between the two nations.
Apart from Bhutto Zardari, the committee comprises other notable members, including sports minister Ahsan Mazari, Maryam Aurangzeb, Asad Mahmood, Amin ul Haq, Qamar Zaman Kaira and former diplomat Tariq Fatmi.
The concerned ministers have indicated their intention to send a high-level security delegation to inspect the venues in India where Pakistan’s nine league matches are scheduled.
Meanwhile, Zaka Ashraf, the acting chairman of the PCB and Salman Taseer, its chief operating officer, are set to attend ICC meetings in Durban starting Sunday (9). Ashraf is expected to discuss India’s repeated refusal to visit Pakistan, citing security concerns.
One of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup, the clash between India and Pakistan, is scheduled to take place on October 15 at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, the home state of prime minister Narendra Modi.
Prior to that, Pakistan will engage in two warm-up games in Hyderabad before facing the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in their opening matches, all at the same venue. The team is also slated to compete in Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
It is worth mentioning that India and Pakistan only play against each other in the Asia Cup or ICC events, adding to the significance and excitement surrounding their encounters.
(With agency inputs)
