‘You can't ignore India in any sport’ - Union Minister of Sports, Anurag Thakur responds to PCB threatening to boycott World Cup 2023

The heated battle between India and Pakistan over hosting the Asia Cup and the World Cup next year goes on as the Union Minister of Sports, Anuraj Thakur has now opened up on the matter. Pakistan is scheduled to host the Asia Cup 2023 and ACC Chairman, Jay Shah recently revealed that India will not travel to the neighbouring country. He instead mentioned that the tournament could be shifted to a neutral venue. 

The messages from Shah disappointed the Pakistan Cricket Board and the board cleared the ACC Council Chief did not consult PCB or the ACC Council Members before coming to a conclusion. The lengthy statement also included that Shah’s comments could impact Pakistan's visit to India for the 2023 World Cup getting curbed down. 

"The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities, and can impact Pakistan's visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle," PCB’s statement read. 

India is not in a position to listen to anyone: Anurag Thakur

Responding to the statement from PCB, Thakur concluded that the World Cup 2023 will take place in India with all the global nations participating and felt India’s contributions cannot be ignored. He added that the home ministry will take a call on the security concerns in Pakistan. 

"The ODI World Cup will also take place next year in India and all big teams around the globe will take part in it. Because, you can't ignore India in any sport. India has contributed a lot to sports, especially cricket. So, the World Cup will be organized next year, and it will be a grand and historic event. Home ministry will take a decision as there is security concerns in Pakistan. It's not just cricket. India is not in a position to listen to anyone," Thakur said during an event for the announcement of the Khelo India Youth Games.

Interestingly, India will take on Pakistan on October 23 at the MCG Ground in their first game of the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 Stages.