'Natak he khatam nhi hore inke' - Fans react as Pakistan plans to send security delegation to India for inspecting ODI World Cup venues

Stadium (source: Twitter)

After months of uncertainty, Pakistan's participation in the 2023 ODI World Cup was confirmed when the Indian Cricket Board announced the schedule for the marquee event, which begins on October 5. However, a fresh drama has unfolded as Pakistan plans to send a security delegation to the host country, India, to inspect the World Cup venues.

Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed its participation in the major multi-national tournament, the Men in Green can only travel to the neighbouring country if the government grants permission. The delegation would visit Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad, where the blockbuster India vs Pakistan match will take place on October 15.

According to an official source in the Inter-Provincial Coordination (Sports) Ministry, the government, including the foreign and interior ministry, would decide when to send the security team to India. The overseas trip is expected to take place once the new head of the Pakistan Cricket Board is chosen following the Eid holidays.

"The security delegation will go with representation from the PCB to inspect the venues where Pakistan will play and also the security and other arrangements made for them in the World Cup. Before any tour to India it is standard practice for the cricket board to seek permission from the government which normally sends a delegation to India," he said.

PCB will report if the delegation has any concerns

The official also stated that if the delegation has any concerns about the venue, the board would address them in its report and suggest an alternate venue instead of the designated one.

"The delegation will interact with the officials there and discuss and inspect with them the security and other arrangements for our players, officials, fans and media, who will go for the tournament. The PCB will share the report with the Cricket Governing Body and Indian Cricket Board if the delegation has any concerns," he added.

The 2023 World Cup will be played across 10 Indian cities from October 5 to November 19. The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and the Eden Gardens in Kolkata will be the venues for the first and second semi-finals respectively. The final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, if Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata and not in Mumbai, regardless of their position in the points table.

Here's how fans reacted: 

I got the topic to laugh over . Are they serious ? They cannot guarantee player safety in their own country and those officials will check ours ..

— Suunil koul (@koulsu) July 1, 2023

Tbh I would love if they exit in group stage. They have been only doing so much drama, nobody has been this dramatic. There is no WC hype but just random drama over venues and now this

— Archer (@poserarcher) July 1, 2023

Pakistan shivering already even before arriving in India 😂😂😂😂

— Cricket Crazy (@CrazyinCricket) July 1, 2023

A security delegation from a country where
An Ex-Cricketer and An Ex-PM have a threat in his own Country and by his own countrymen.... #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/T1TpcegBrL

— 𝕾𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖌𝖊 ⟿ ☠️  👑 (@xpher_nxvxii) July 1, 2023

thats like Osama sending his men to assess the security condition at the world trade center

— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) July 1, 2023

Joke of the year!! 🤣🤣

— Srikanth Dhulipala (@SrikanthDhul26) July 1, 2023

I wish Pakistan bole "we are not satisfied and we will not go to India"..

Mjaa hi aajayega..
Kangaali mein aata geela..
Oops.. Aata toh h hi nahi inke paas..

— Rahul Kaushik (@imrksk) July 1, 2023

Natak he khatam nhi hore inke.

— Vaibhav (@vaibhavdugar02) July 1, 2023

PCB keeps making a joke out of themselves. If anywhere in the world you will be the safest, its here in India.

— Shahzeb Khan (@theshahzebkhan) July 1, 2023