India & Pakistan are scheduled to lock horns in a much-awaited showdown in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 to be held in India in October. However, recent comments by Pakistan‘s Minister of Sports Ehsaan Mazari stating that his country would not travel to India if the hosts do not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup has led to a new situation of uncertainty. Ehsaan Mazari also stated that a committee has been formed to deliberate on the country’s participation in the World Cup in India.
PCB are set to host the Asia Cup in their country after 15 long years, however, BCCI has refused in staging the Indian team’s matches on Pakistan soil citing security reasons, and has demanded a hybrid model with a neutral venue for their matches. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in retaliation. have said that their team will not travel to India for the world cup unless they were treated with the same demands.
Not in Favour of the Hybrid Model – Ehsaan Mazari
Ehsaan Mazari was speaking to the media and was adamant about hosting the whole of the Asia Cup in their backyard despite the objection from the BCCI. The minister also said that the committee will most likely submit their recommendations to the PM, who will take a final decision on the matter.
“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,” said Ehsaan Mazari.
The minister was also puzzled by India’s disinclination towards playing in Pakistan and urged the authorities to not mix sports with politics.
We want healthy cricket to be played – Pakistan Sports Minister Ehsaan Mazari
Ehsaan Marazi pointed out that India brings sports into politics and said that a massive baseball contingent from India was in Islamabad to play. Ehsaan Mazari made a huge statement that Pakistan’s football, h0ckey and chess teams also travel to India.
“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,” he stated.
During this time, the ICC has urged Pakistan to travel to India for the major event and honor their agreement.
“Pakistan have signed a participation agreement to compete and we expect them to be there and have had no indications to the contrary,” an ICC statement.