"You can't ignore India": Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Pakistan threatening to pull out of 2023 WC
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India today reacted sharply to Pakistan's threat to pull out of the ICC World Cup next year in a row over the Asia Cup. "You can't ignore India," Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said, asserting that "all top teams" will come to the country for the World Cup, NDTV reported.
The Sports Minister noted that ODI World Cup will take place next year in India and all big teams around the globe will take part in it.
"India has contributed a lot to sports, especially cricket. What is cricket without India?," the Sports Minister said.
The row started after Asian Cricket Council chief Jay Shah said on Tuesday that India will not travel to Pakistan for next year's Asia Cup and that the tournament could be shifted to a neutral venue.
Anurag Thakur said the home ministry would decide on the cricket team's travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. "Possibilities are always there. Who thought there will be COVID-19? Anything can happen but the chances (of the Indian team traveling to Pakistan) are not much. It's a decision that will be taken by the home ministry. Overall, players' safety and security is an important matter," said the minister, according to PTI.
Jay Shah's statement has triggered strong reactions from the Pakistani cricket community. Pakistan has been hosting top international teams at home since last year. Teams like Australia and England have toured the country recently. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Jay Shah's comments were unilateral and could "split" the international cricket community. It also said moving the Asia Cup out of Pakistan "could impact future events in India" like the World Cup.
"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 said in its statement.
The clash comes days before India and Pakistan play in the opening match of the Twenty20 World Cup in Melbourne on Sunday.
