Pakistan urges India to provide security to cricket team

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has called upon India to provide security to the national team during the ICC World Cup 2023 amid reports of terror threats to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The statement came during the weekly briefing by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch who was asked to comment on visa delays for Pakistani fans and journalists.

Baloch said Pakistan was in contact with the Indian authorities and urged them to issue visas to Pakistani spectators and journalists who wished to see the World Cup in India.

She said it was the responsibility of the host country to provide security and a conducive environment for the Pakistan cricket team and emphasized that sports should not be mixed with politics.

She said the Pakistan team was visiting India not for a bilateral cricket series, and thus had every right to participate in the international series.

Indian authorities have increased security protocols and are on high alert amid a terror threat pertaining to Narendra Modi stadium.

According to Indian media, more than 3,000 police personnel deployed in and around the venue scheduled to host a total of five fixtures including the opening match, Pakistan-India clash, and the tournament’s final.

As part of the strict security measures, spectators will not be allowed to carry anything in the stadium other than their mobile phones. The road leading to the stadium will remain closed during the matches.

The ICC World Cup 2023 is taking place in India with 10 teams are battling for the title across 10 venues from October 5 to November 19.

The tournament will be played in a round-robin format with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches.