Pakistan Sports Minister demands neutral venues for Pakistan’s matches in 2023 ODI World Cup in India

Pakistan Sports Minister Ehsaan Mazari recently stated that Pakistan Cricket Team should consider advocating neutral venues for the 2023 ODI World Cup just like India did for the upcoming Asia Cup that is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in September. Notably, after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asian tournament, it was decided that it will be played in a Hybrid mode and will be jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Speaking into the matter, Mazari indicated that the Men in Green could also avoid traveling to India later in the year for the Marquee event. According to the schedule released by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the 2023 Asia Cup will be held from August 31 to September 17. Four matches will take place in Pakistan, while the remaining nine matches will be hosted by Sri Lanka.

“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,” Mazari was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.

India brings sports into politics – Mazari

It is noted that India have not travelled to Pakistan for a multi-national cricket tournament since the 50-over Asia Cup in 2008. Meanwhile, there has not been any bilateral series between both nations after 2012. Mazari believes that India’s reasons for not travelling to Pakistan are invalid and claimed that there are no security issues in Pakistan.

“The New Zealand team was here, before that the England cricket team was in Pakistan. They got presidential security. Earlier, the Indian team was given a hearty welcome by the fans here. Security is an excuse. We also held the Pakistan Super League (PSL) that had so many foreign players,” Mazari 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 concluded.