Pakistan says evaluating World Cup participation in India

Spectators wave national flags after the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between India and Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on June 16, 2019. (AFP)
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Updated 23 June 2023
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Pakistan says evaluating World Cup participation in India

  • Foreign office says "politics should not be mixed with sports"
  • Calls India's policy of not playing in Pakistan "disappointing"

Pakistan's foreign ministry said it is "evaluating all aspects" of the country's participation in this year's 50-overs World Cup in India with bilateral cricket stalled between the South Asian neighbours due to soured political relations.

The two countries have played each other only in multi-team events at neutral venues over the last decade and doubts remain over Pakistan's involvement in the World Cup in October-November.

Pakistan's Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was among the foreign ministers who travelled to India's Goa last month for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, becoming the first senior Pakistani leader to visit India in nine years.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan was of the view that "politics should not be mixed with sports".

"India's policy of not playing cricket in Pakistan is disappointing," Baloch said in Islamabad on Thursday.

"We are observing and evaluating all aspects relating to our participation in the World Cup including the security situation for Pakistani cricketers and we will offer our views to PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) in due course."

Doubts over Pakistan's participation has meant that the dates and venues for the World Cup are yet to be confirmed with just over three months left before the start of the tournament.

India has already ruled out travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to begin on Aug. 31. In response, Pakistan threatened to boycott the World Cup if they lose the hosting rights to the Asia Cup.

Looking for a compromise, the Asian Cricket Council said the regional tournament will be hosted in a 'hybrid model' with four matches held in Pakistan and the remaining nine in Sri Lanka.


Co-host Sri Lanka win toss and bowls in must-win T20 World Cup game against New Zealand

Updated 25 February 2026
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Co-host Sri Lanka win toss and bowls in must-win T20 World Cup game against New Zealand

  • The game is a must-win for co-host Sri Lanka to have any hope of reaching the semifinals
  • England, on 4 points, are the only team already through to the semifinals

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bowl in cricket’s T20 World Cup Super 8s match against New Zealand on Wednesday.
The game is a must-win for co-host Sri Lanka to have any hope of reaching the semifinals after losing to England in their Group 2 opener.
England, on 4 points, are the only team already through to the semifinals after defeating Pakistan on Tuesday to make it two wins from two games in Group 2.
New Zealand and Pakistan each have a point after their match was abandoned because of rain.
Sri Lanka dropped opener Kamil Mishara and recalled the experienced Charith Asalanka. New Zealand left out Jimmy Neesham and brought in Cole McConchie.
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Lineups:
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.