Zainab Abbas left India for personal reasons: ICC

Zainab Abbas, a prominent Pakistani sports presenter and commentator, has left India during her stint as part of the ICC's presenter team for the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023. Contrary to rumours suggesting her exit, an ICC spokesperson clarified that her departure was due to a personal reason.

ICC spokesperson C. Rajshekhar Rao declined to provide further details about the nature of Abbas's personal reason or confirm her return to Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board refrained from commenting on the situation.

Zainab was initially set to cover Pakistan's World Cup games in various Indian cities, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. Zainab's presence at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad for Pakistan's World Cup opener against the Netherlands on October 6 had garnered attention on social media.

As speculation grew regarding her departure, the International Cricket Council (ICC) clarified that she was not deported from India. An ICC spokesperson stated, "Zainab has not been deported, she has left for personal reasons," as quoted by Arab News. This clarification put to rest the rumours surrounding her exit from the host country.

Speculation in the Indian media suggests that Abbas's past social media posts, particularly one from 2014 where she made a controversial remark about New Delhi, had come under scrutiny since the tournament's commencement on October 5th.

While Zainab's departure raised questions, the Pakistan cricket team has been warmly received in India, with skipper Babar Azam and his team acknowledging the overwhelming support they've received since arriving in the country after a seven-year gap. The ICC World Cup continues to captivate cricket fans worldwide, with former Pakistan players Rameez Raja and Waqar Younis contributing to the excitement as part of the commentary panel.

The delay in granting visas for Pakistani fans and journalists wishing to travel to India for the World Cup reflects the longstanding political tensions between the two neighbouring cricketing nations. Despite the challenges, cricket enthusiasts hope for a successful and competitive tournament.