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Babar Azam and Ehsaan Mazari (Source: Twitter)
As the regime has changed in the Pakistan Cricket Board, Pakistan sports minister Ehsaan Mazari once again demanded a neutral venue for their games in ODI World Cup 2023. Mazari stated that Pakistan will not arrive in India for the World Cup unless they cross borders for the 2023 Asia Cup.
After India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, the PCB was compelled to stage it in a hybrid format in partnership with Sri Lanka. According to the hybrid format, Sri Lanka will host nine Asia Cup games, while Pakistan will host only four. Earlier, the Apex Cricket Council rejected all allegations and security threats PCB raised before the declaration of the schedule.
"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." His statement came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed a committee to review Pakistan's participation in the upcoming World Cup.
'We will discuss the issue' - Ehsaan Mazari after formation of committee
Further speaking about the role and importance of the committee, Mazari said that it will assess the situation. "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."
"India brings sports into politics. I don’t understand why the Indian government doesn’t want to send their cricket team here. Some time ago, 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 people, and I was the chief guest at the event. They won here and left. Pakistan’s football, hockey, and chess teams also travel to India," he added while speaking with The Indian Express.
Here is how fans reacted to Ehsaan Mazari's comments:
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
Matt aao
— Ishaan Meet (@ishaanmeet) 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
beggars can't be choosers 😭
— Adish (@AdishG97) July 9, 2023
Pak can play all their matches at home with Zimbabwe.
— Deepak-JSR (@Deepak_D1105) July 9, 2023
Afghanistan ke sath kya hoga woh socho 😂
— Naveen (@_naveenish) July 9, 2023
BCCI to Paxtan 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/pfY4lM3zn0
— Steven (@marc_spector01_) July 9, 2023
Pakistan b like 😂 pic.twitter.com/qWwwwCMlaB
— saurav764 (@saurav764) July 9, 2023
Inka har roj chalu ho jaata hai bakchodi..... They should just pull out of the world Cup that would be for the best.... Atleast a more deserving team like Zimbabwe will get a chance
— Shreyansh Kesarwani (@ShreyanshKesar4) July 9, 2023
Phir mat aao maa ch$%^^^
— RKD Fanclub (@RkdFanclub) July 9, 2023