Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf will use the ICC meetings in Durban this week to push for neutral venues in ODI World Cup 2023, said Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (Sports), Ahsan Mazari.
"Zaka Ashraf will bring up the issue of why can't Pakistan's matches in the World Cup be played at neutral venues when the Indian team can't travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
India had refused to play their Asia Cup 2023 matches in Pakistan due to politicial tensions between two countries. As a result, PCB Chief Najam Sethi proposed a hybrid model where only four games will be played in Pakistan and nine in Sri Lanka. The proposal was accepted by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah.
Soon after, PCB conveyed that their participation in World Cup is subjected to approval from Pakistan government.
Currently, Ashraf and the PCB chief operating officer, Salman Taseer is in Durban for the ICC meetings. They will raise the issue of India's refusal to play in Pakistan citing security reasons.
Mazari said that it was high time Pakistan took a stance as India continues to shun them. He went on the claim that in the special committee formed by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and headed by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, many feel that Pakistan should refuse to travel to India for the World Cup.
"I want our World Cup matches at neutral venues if India doesn't want to send its team to Pakistan for Asia Cup. If they have security problems in Pakistan according to the Indian board, then we can also question the security situation in India," said Mazari.
Pakistan are set to start their World Cup 2023 campaign against runner-ups of World Cup Qualifier, Netherlands at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on October 6. Earlier, it was also reported that PCB were not happy with the venues of their matches, especially at Chepauk against Afghanistan and Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Their request for change in venues were refused by the ICC.
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