According to sources, the Pakistani cricket team has been denied permission to travel to India for the ODI World Cup in October due to safety concerns expressed by the federal government. The government reportedly communicated to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that given the current situation in India, where Muslims are facing atrocities at the hands of extremist Hindu groups, sending Pakistani cricketers to India would be too risky. The government official stated that they cannot allow their cricketers to travel to India where extremists preach hatred against Muslims.
In a similar vein, India has also expressed concerns about sending its team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by the PCB in September 2023. If India does not change its stance on not traveling to Pakistan, it is unlikely that Pakistan would allow its elite cricketers to travel to a country where extremism is prevalent, and even the central government is seen promoting anti-Muslim measures.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may face trouble in hosting the ODI World Cup if it fails to meet the basic requirements necessary to host such a mega-event. In the 2016 T20 World Cup, the BCCI failed to produce tax exemption certificates on the ICC earnings, resulting in a tax liability of around $25 million and extra pressure on the ICC’s finances. As a result, the share of all participating teams reduced considerably.
Fears are that if the BCCI attends the ICC Board meeting scheduled for March 20 in Dubai without a tax exemption certificate, the situation could worsen for the Indian board. If there is no tax exemption certificate, the ICC could lose around $75 million, which would be a significant blow to the share of all participating countries from ICC profit. The BCCI also needs to provide all related letters from the central government, including visa exemptions for all officials, crew, media, and other staff planning to travel to India for the event. Additionally, a customs exemption certificate is required for the safe and secure import and export of all equipment meant for the World Cup.
BCCI representatives planning to attend the March 20 meeting may face some tough questions from the ICC Board members if they are not prepared. Finally, the Asian Cricket Council Board, which is meeting on March 21 in Dubai, will discuss the formalities regarding the Asia Cup to be hosted by Pakistan in September.
