As saga continues on Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup, a fresh statement from Pakistan’s Sports Minister Ehsaan Mazari has furthered the discussions.
Mazari has clearly said that Pakistan wouldn’t travel to India for World Cup until the Indian team doesn’t come to Pakistan for Asia Cup.
“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 Indian Express.
This came in the backdrop of Pakistan’s PM deciding to form a high-profile committee to review the team’s participation in World Cup, which is to be hosted in India in October-Novemeber later this year.
“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.” Mazari said.
The exact schedule for Asia Cup is yet to be announced but earlier it was notified that first few matches will be held in Pakistan while Sri Lanka will host the rest of the tournament due to India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan, the original hosts of Asia Cup 2023.