In its first reaction to the confirmation of the Pakistani side's involvement in the Cricket World Cup to be hosted by India later this year, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday downplayed the development, saying that the team of the neighboring country would be treated just like any other visiting squad during their stay here.
"We have seen these reports regarding the Pakistan cricket team's participation in the upcoming ICC World Cup to be hosted by India. Pakistan cricket team will be treated just like the cricket team of any other country participating in the ICC World Cup. We will be providing necessary security not only to them but also all the other participatory teams in the tournament," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters in New Delhi on Friday.
The remarks of Bagchi come days after the Pakistan Foreign Ministry announced that Babar Azam and his boys will travel to India for the prestigious quadrennial competition, stressing that Islamabad does not mix sports with politics.
"Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics. It has, therefore, decided to send its cricket team to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations," a press note from Islamabad stated.
The India-Pakistan Asia Cup Feud
Terming its approach on the issue as "constructive and responsible", Islamabad's statement also criticized New Delhi for refusing to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup was originally set to be hosted by Pakistan. But after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made it clear that it would not send the Rohit Sharma-led team there, the tournament shifted to a hybrid model.
It meant that the Indian cricket team would be playing all their matches outside Pakistan.
On the other hand, the Pakistani side will contest their games in their home country. Moreover, the semifinals and the final of the prestigious continental tournament were moved to Sri Lanka.