• By Ankit Bisht
  • Mon, 03 Jul 2023 10:00 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

JE Sports Desk: Pakistan have confirmed that they will send a security delegation to India to inspect arrangements at ODI World Cup 2023 venues before giving clearance for the national team's travel to the neighbouring country.

The decision on when to send the delegation will be taken in coherence with foreign and interior ministries after the election of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) new chairman.

The ODI World Cup 2023 will be played in India from October 5 to November 19 across 10 cities. Pakistan are scheduled to play their first game against Qualifier 1 at Hyderabad on October 6.

"The security delegation will go with representation from the PCB to inspect the venues where Pakistan will play and also the security and other arrangements made for them in the World Cup," PTI quoted an official source in the Inter-Provincial Coordination (Sports) Ministry as saying.

Sending security delegation to India before any tournament is a routine process followed by Pakistan.

"Before any tour to India it is standard practice for the cricket board to seek permission from the government which normally sends a delegation to India," the official said.

"The delegation will interact with the officials there and discuss and inspect with them the security and other arrangements for our players, officials, fans and media, who will go for the tournament," he said.

Pakistan are scheduled to play at Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata while Ahmedabad will play host to India vs Pakistan high voltage clash at Narendra Modi Stadium on October 15.

The delegation will submit its report to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and raise concerns to International Cricket Council (ICC) if found.

"The PCB will share the report with the ICC and BCCI if the delegation has any concerns," he added.

The official further confirmed that the same process was followed before Pakistan's travel to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup.

(With PTI inputs)