'We also demand the same for WC' - PAK sports minister Ehsaan Mazari bats for neutral venues after Asia Cup's hybrid model

Pakistan's participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup has taken another twist as sports minister Ehsaan Mazari has fired a warning shot at The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the organisers of World Cup 2023. The Pakistani minister reckoned that his team are within their rights of asking for a neutral venue for the global event following a hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023.

Dark clouds circled the Asia Cup 2023 when India announced that they won't travel to Pakistan for the continental tournament, citing an ongoing political conflict between the neighbours. However, the tournament finally got the green light last month after a hybrid model was accepted by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

While the tournament will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, India's matches will be played in Sri Lanka, with only four matches allocated to Pakistani venues. Pakistani sports minister Ehsaan Mazari blasted the idea of a neutral venue for India, demanding a similar proposition for the Men in Green for the upcoming World Cup 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.

We will discuss the issue and give our recommendations to the PM: Mazari

It is worth noting that Ehsaan Mazari is one of the members of the high-profile committee formed by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to mull over Pakistan's participation in the World Cup hosted by India. Mazari revealed that the committee will put forward their recommendation to the PM, who will take the final decision. 

"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 added.