The Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari has expressed his reservations over Pakistan touring India for this year’s ICC World Cup, saying Pakistan has the right to request a neutral venue for the World Cup, citing the hybrid model adopted for the Asia Cup 2023.
The Asia Cup 2023 will be played under a hybrid model, after India refused to travel to Pakistan. While Pakistan and Sri Lanka will co-host the tournament, India’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka, with only four matches scheduled for Pakistani venues.
The ODI World Cup is scheduled to commence in India on October 5th, with the Pakistan-India match set to take place in Ahmedabad on October 15th.
Mazari vehemently disagreed with the idea of a neutral veues for India and requested that Pakistan receive the same treatment during the forthcoming World Cup, which will be held in India later this year.
“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. Pakistan is the host, 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 told The Indian Express.
Mazari is a notable committee member who was appointed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup being held by India.
Mazari disclosed that the Prime Minister, who will make the final choice, will receive the committee’s recommendations.
