Minister: Pakistan should seek neutral venues for World Cup 2023

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09th Jul, 2023. 03:58 pm
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Hybrid model adopted for Asia Cup with matches split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
High-level committee formed to decide Pakistan’s participation in World Cup.
Mazari dismisses security concerns, criticizes India for politicizing sports and intertwining it with politics.

The Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination, Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, has voiced concerns about Pakistan’s cricket team touring India for the upcoming ICC World Cup. Mazari stated that Pakistan should insist on playing their World Cup matches at a neutral venue, citing India’s decision to do the same for the Asia Cup 2023.

Expressing reservations, Mazari emphasized the need for fairness and reciprocity in scheduling international cricket events. He suggested that if India had chosen a neutral venue for the Asia Cup, Pakistan should also demand the same for their World Cup matches to ensure a level playing field. By highlighting India’s decision, Mazari emphasized the importance of maintaining equal opportunities and fair treatment for all participating teams in major cricket tournaments.

“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 told The media.

In response to India’s security concerns and refusal to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup, a hybrid model has been adopted for this year’s tournament. The initial phase of the Asia Cup, featuring four matches, will be held in Pakistan. However, to accommodate the concerns and ensure a smooth tournament, the event will transition to Sri Lanka for the remaining matches, including the knockout stage. Sri Lanka will serve as the host for a total of nine matches during this phase.

By implementing this hybrid model, the organizers aim to strike a balance between addressing the security concerns raised by India and providing an opportunity for cricket to be played in both countries. This approach enables the Asia Cup to proceed with its scheduled matches while ensuring the safety and comfort of all participating teams. The decision to split the tournament between Pakistan and Sri Lanka allows for an inclusive and collaborative approach, fostering cooperation and unity among cricket-playing nations in the Asian region.

“Pakistan is the host [for the Asia Cup], 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,” Mazari remarked.

In the meantime, Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, has formed a high-level committee to decide whether the Men in Green would travel to India for the Cricket World Cup in October-November 2023. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will chair the group.

“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 IPC minister stated.

Mazari also dismissed the notion that Pakistan was not a secure place to play cricket, while condemning India for intertwining politics and sports.

“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 continued.

“It [security concerns] wasn’t a solid argument. 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,” he said.

Minister: Pakistan should seek neutral venues for World Cup 2023

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