World Cup 2019: Cricketers' families not permitted to accompany them

KARACHI: Families of Pakistan cricketers will not be permitted to accompany players during the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held in England and Wales from May 30.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), spouses will accompany the squad during the bilateral series against England before the World Cup; however, players will not be permitted to be with their families during the World Cup.

Spouses and children have always been allowed to accompany players, however, it became a norm after 2010. The wives and children of players accompanied the squad during Champions Trophy tournament in 2017.

The PCB has made it clear that players families will not be with the national team during the World Cup.

On the other hand, players have taken the stance that the team plays it last group match against Bangladesh on July 5 and if the team makes it to the final, the team will return to the country on July 15, making it two months before they see their families.

The team is scheduled to depart for England on Tuesday, April 23.

Pakistan will play their first World Cup match against West Indies at Trent Bridge on May 31, after playing warmup matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.