Pakistan’s minister in charge of sports, Ehsaan Mazari, has said that his nation would withdraw from the 2023 World Cup if India does not cross the border to participate in the Asia Cup.
“If India demands to play their Asia Cup games at neutral venues, we would also demand the same for our World Cup games in India,” Mazari said in an interview with The Indian Express. “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.”
The announcement was made a day after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a high-profile committee to deliberate on the question of the country’s participation in the next World Cup, which will be hosted in India from October to November.
“The committee will be led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and I am one of the 11 ministers who will serve on it. The Prime Minister, who is also the principal patron of the PCB, will be the recipient of our discussions and suggestions about this matter. The choice, when it comes, will be made by the Prime Minister.”
“India brings sports into politics,” the minister was quoted as saying. “India brings sports into politics.” I am unable to fathom the motivation behind the Indian government’s refusal to bring its cricket team over here. Back in the day, there was a sizable Indian baseball team that traveled all the way to Islamabad to compete. There was also the bridge crew that was in Pakistan. They had traveled there. There were in excess of sixty people there, and I was honored to serve as the event’s primary guest. They departed after winning this place. “In addition to chess, football, and hockey, Pakistan’s national teams will be traveling to India,” stated Mazari.