Reports: Pakistan delegates to visit India to assess ODI World Cup 2023 venues

As per the schedule released by the ICC, the much awaited ODI World Cup is set to be held across ten cities in India, commencing on October 5 and concluding with the final match on November 19, 2023.

But before that, reports suggest that Pakistan is planning to send a security delegation to India. The purpose of this delegation is to evaluate the venues and ensure that they are perfectly suitable for the team to play. Only after this, team Pakistan will be allowed to travel to India for the much-awaited ICC ODI World Cup. 

"The government will choose the exact date of the delegation's visit after consulting with the interior and foreign ministries. Following the conclusion of the Eid vacations, this will happen once the Pakistan Cricket Board's new head is named," an official source of the Inter-Provincial Coordination (Sports) Ministry was quotes as saying by The Times of India.

The official explained that the security delegation, accompanied by representatives from the PCB, will assess the venues where Pakistan will be playing during the World Cup. 

"They will assess the team's security measures and other preparations. The delegation is looking to visit World Cup venues in Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. The India-Pakistan match, set to happen on October 15 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, is especially noteworthy," the official mentioned.

The cricket board seeks permission from the government before any tour to India. This usually involves sending a delegation to inspect the venues and interact with Indian officials. The purpose is to discuss and assess the security and other arrangements for the players, officials, fans, and media who will be attending the tournament, as stated by the official.

If the delegation identifies any concerns or deems it more suitable for Pakistan to play at an alternative venue, they will include those observations in their report. The PCB will share this report with the ICC and BCCI to address any concerns highlighted by the delegation. 

A combined committee was dispatched by the government to assess the venues during Pakistan's prior trip to India for the T20 World Cup, the PCB source stated. Their suggestions resulted in the relocation of Pakistan's match against India from Dharamsala to Kolkata.

The source emphasized that Pakistan's final decision on participation in the World Cup will only be announced after the government grants clearance to the PCB. This is a standard procedure for all tours to India, not limited to cricket but applicable to other sports as well.