CRICKET
‘Agar India nahin aaye to 2025 ki Champions Trophy bhi…’ – Fans angered after Pakistan’s Sports minister says Pakistan must play World Cup at neutral venues
A while back, India and Pakistan Cricket Boards came into an agreement about India playing Asia Cup 2023 on a neutral venue. After having a long disagreement between India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh board with Pakistan, the Lankan islands were chosen as the neutral venue. It all happened when the PCB was led by Najam Sethi. However, he has been replaced by Zaka Ashraf, who worked as PCB chairperson before.
The latter, before being instated said that if he was at the helm of affairs, he would ensure Pakistan hosting all games at home. However, he added that he would honor the previous commitment. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s sports minister Ehsaan Mazari that the board would demand for a neutral venue in the ODI World Cup 2023.
“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 Prime Minister will take the final decision: Ehsaan Mazari
Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif will apparently look into whether to give permission to the national side to travel to India.
“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.”
On the other hand, Mazari added that as the hosts, they have the right to play all games of Asia Cup at home.
“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,” 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,” he said.
This is how Twitter reacted
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) July 9, 2023
It's now becoming a daily routine for them(our neighbour's sports personalities/ministers) to give such random baseless statements. At first, it was really funny, now it's getting annoying man. #WorldCup2023 #AsiaCup2023 #INDvPAK #CricketTwitter
— RAJESH-SWD 🧑💻 (@iamrajeshjena) 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
Pakistan ki jagah Zimbabwe khel lengi world cup👀😹
— Atul (@dikhhat_hai_) July 9, 2023
Demand toh kar hee sakte hain, bhale he woh fulfil na ho 🤣🤣🤣
— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) July 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/Shubham77777112/status/1677919473070755841?s=20
beggars can't be choosers 😭
— The Guardiola -Bhakt (@Guardiola_Bhakt) July 9, 2023
Jhoot bolta hai indian express, aesa kuch nahi kaha sports minister ne
— Out of Context Pakistan (@Umairiology) 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
The problem is that the word – Demand is no longer in the dictionary they have
— Suunil koul (@koulsu) July 9, 2023