PCB to seek government clearance before confirming World Cup participation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stated that it will need to obtain clearance from the government before confirming its participation in the World Cup. This response came after the schedule for the World Cup was announced in Mumbai on Tuesday. It appears that the PCB's requests and concerns were not taken into account in the World Cup programme.

"The PCB requires clearance from the Government of Pakistan for any tour to India, including the match venues," said a spokesman for the Pakistan board in a statement following the release of the full schedule of the World Cup a few hours ago.

"We are in communication with our government to seek guidance, and once we receive a response from them, we will update the Event Authority (ICC). This stance aligns with what we communicated to the ICC a couple of weeks ago when they shared the draft schedule with us and sought our feedback," added the spokesman. However, no indication was given as to their views on the final programme.

Nevertheless, insiders at the ICC and BCCI have confided that they are confident that the Pakistan team will travel to India.

One of PCB's objections was regarding the India-Pakistan game being held in Ahmedabad. They had expressed a desire to play in Chennai or Bengaluru instead. Additionally, they wanted the hosts, BCCI and ICC, to switch their games against Afghanistan and Australia, which are currently scheduled in Chennai and Bengaluru.

The ICC, however, said it has had no indication from the PCB and reaffirmed that the Pakistan board is a signatory to members' participation agreement. "Pakistan have signed a participation agreement to compete and we expect them to be there and have had no indications to the contrary, " a spokesperson of the world body said.

"All Members have to abide by the rules and the laws of their country and we respect that. But we're confident Pakistan will be in India for the Men's Cricket World Cup," the spokesperson added.

The BCCI and the PCB have been engaged in a dispute over the schedules of multi-national events, including the Asia Cup. The PCB had to yield to pressure from the Asian boards, led by the BCCI, and agree to a hybrid model for the continental championship, with matches unevenly split between Pakistan (four) and Sri Lanka (nine).

Pakistan will commence their campaign by playing against Qualifier 1 in Hyderabad on October 6. This will be followed by a match against Qualifier 2 on October 12. The high profile clash against India is scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on October 15. Pakistan's other matches are scheduled for October 20 (against Australia in Bengaluru), October 23 (against Afghanistan in Chennai), October 27 (against South Africa in Chennai), October 31 (against Bangladesh in Kolkata), November 4 (against New Zealand in Bengaluru), and November 12 (against England in Kolkata).

The BCCI and ICC have made it clear that if Pakistan qualify for the semifinals, their match will be held in Kolkata, even if their opponents were to be India, who have been, otherwise, designated Mumbai as their semifinal venue, should they advance to that stage.