Ehsaan Mazari, Pakistan’s Sports Minister, has stated that his nation will pull out of hosting the 2023 World Cup in India if India refuses to cross its border for the Asia Cup 2023. In an exclusive conversation with the Indian Express, Pakistan Sports Minister Mazaari said, “My personal opinion, since the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) comes under my ministry, is that if India demands to play their Asia Cup games at a neutral venue, we would also demand the same for our World Cup games in India.”
The PM will take the final decision: Pakistan Sports Minister
The announcement was made a day after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a well-known commission to investigate the country’s participation in the World Cup that its neighbour India is hosting in October-November. Sharing the committee’s mission, Mazari said, “The committee will be headed by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and I am among the 11 ministers who are part of it. We will discuss the issue and give our recommendations to the PM, who is also the patron-in-chief of PCB. The PM will take the final decision.”
The minister expressed his confusion over India’s unwillingness to engage in cricket in Pakistan. He said, “India brings sports into politics. I don’t understand why the Indian government doesn’t want to send their cricket team here. Some time back a huge baseball contingent from India was in Islamabad to play. There was also the bridge team that had travelled to Pakistan. There were around 60-plus people, I was the chief guest of the event. They won here and left. Pakistan’s football, hockey and chess teams also travel to India.”
Although the Asia Cup schedule has not yet been released, it is known that Pakistan and Sri Lanka will co-host the competition, according to the ACC. All of India’s games are anticipated to be played in Sri Lanka. Mazari, however, declared that he was opposed to this “hybrid model”. He added, “Pakistan is the host, it has the right to hold all the matches in Pakistan. That is what the cricket lovers want, I don’t want a hybrid model.”
Fans react to Pakistan Minister’s bold statement on their participation in ODI World Cup 2023: –
Pakistan sports minister said, "if India demands to play their Asia Cup games at a neutral venue, we would also demand the same for our World Cup games in India". (Indian Express). pic.twitter.com/JBVoyDMWGX
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 9, 2023
Matt aao
— Ishaan Meet (@ishaanmeet) July 9, 2023
2 kaudi ke log jyada fudka nahi karte
— Sonnal S Sinha (@sonnalssinha) July 9, 2023
Pak can play all their matches at home with Zimbabwe.
— Deepak-JSR (@Deepak_D1105) July 9, 2023
If Pakistan has even a little self-respect left, then the Pakistani government should not send the Pakistan team to India for the World Cup.
— Narendra Modi fan (@narendramodi177) July 9, 2023
India darr gya Pakistan se iska mtlb yeh to Nhi k hum b darr jaen ….. Ghr me ghuss k maaren gy?
— Milli…?? (@shutting_down10) July 9, 2023
U can demand. That's fine. Anyone can demand anything. It's up-to ACC & ICC to fulfill those demands or not. We are clear, we aren't playing in pak. Now pak can go ahead and do same in WC. That's fine.
— SG (@SgBharatiya) July 9, 2023
Pakistan b like ? pic.twitter.com/qWwwwCMlaB
— saurav764 (@saurav764) July 9, 2023
Icc official said, "If Pakistan does not participate in the World Cup, then Zimbabwe can play in its place". (ANI)
— Aadivasi Shailesh Meena?? (@Mrmeenaji9090) July 9, 2023
