By Zainab Shafiq 
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provided its official stance on the recently unveiled schedule for the ODI World Cup 2023 by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The PCB spokesperson highlighted that the team’s participation in the tournament is contingent upon government clearance.
According to the PCB spokesperson, the board is required to obtain clearance from the Government of Pakistan for any tour to India, including the selection of match venues. They are currently in communication with the government to seek guidance, and once an official response is received, the Event Authority (ICC) will be duly updated. This aligns with the position previously conveyed to the ICC when the draft schedule was shared a few weeks ago.
In addition to seeking government clearance, the PCB may also engage with the ICC regarding the venues, particularly for the match against the host nation, India, as reported by the Indian Express. The PCB is considering the possibility of sending a security team to the five venues—Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata—where the Pakistan team is scheduled to play matches during the World Cup.
The specific timeline for this security assessment has yet to be established and will depend on the response from the government. It is a customary practice for teams to conduct such assessments before major events to ensure the safety and security of their players. Notably, a security team report from Pakistan played a role in the ICC’s decision to relocate the Pakistan versus India match during the 2016 World T20 from Dharamsala to Kolkata.
During that incident, the PCB expressed its support for the ICC’s decision to move the match and had earlier shared its concerns about playing in Dharamsala based on recommendations from Pakistan’s security delegation that had visited India at the time. The PCB’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of its players remains steadfast.
As the situation unfolds, the PCB will continue to work closely with the government and the ICC to ensure that all necessary clearances and security measures are in place for Pakistan’s participation in the highly anticipated ODI World Cup 2023.