Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Ehsan Ur Rehman Mazari on Sunday termed politics the one obstacle to the restoration of cricket between Pakistan and India.
In an unique interview on Daybreak Information programme ‘Doosra Rukh’ that might be aired at 7pm tonight, the PPP chief stated the federal government was prepared to bask in “cricket diplomacy” with the arch-rival neighbour.
Pakistan lacks a federal sports activities minister and sports-related issues fall underneath the area of the inter-provincial coordination minister.
“Sports activities ought to by no means be checked out via a political lens,” he stated, referring to India’s baseball staff that visited Pakistan lately.
“If the Indian baseball staff can go to Pakistan, why not the cricket staff?” Mazari requested. “We are saying that, ‘India we’re able to play’, however they’re reluctant.”
He talked about how international gamers are participating in Pakistan Tremendous League which reaffirms that safety shouldn’t be a difficulty right here. “PSL is being performed within the nation which additionally has gamers from overseas.”
Reiterating that cricket between the 2 nations was not being performed due to political points, Mazari stated India might be formally invited if the Pakistan Cricket Board asks to take action.
“If the PCB chairman asks us, we will ship a request via the International Workplace,” the minister stated.
He additionally questioned why then PCB chairman Ramiz Raja would transfer about in a bulletproof car.
“Why would international gamers come and play when the chairman of PCB himself roams round in a bulletproof car?”
The minister additionally alleged that some gamers who weren’t deemed match prior to now had been included within the staff resulting from “connections”.
He additionally highlighted how the Pakistan Olympics Affiliation Chairman retired Gen Arif Hassan was within the put up for the previous 20 years. “He has framed the structure in such a manner that solely he stays the chairman,” Mazari stated.
Speaking about soccer, the PPP chief stated the sport was cherished in Karachi’s Lyari and Balochistan’s Quetta. “The Argentinian ambassador advised me he would carry feminine soccer coaches to coach feminine gamers.”
World Cup limbo
The government so far has not given its go-ahead to the PCB for the nationwide staff’s participation within the 2023 ODI World Cup being staged in India and has reserved its resolution on this regard, Daybreak has learnt.
The Asia Cup 50-over occasion is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in September, round a month earlier than the 10-nation World Cup begins in India.
Sources within the federal authorities and the PCB advised Daybreak that when the Board final week sought the federal government’s permission for the World Cup participation, the federal government didn’t give its go-ahead and determined to attend until India’s remaining resolution concerning its participation within the six-team Asia Cup.
“You may’t say that we’re going to boycott the upcoming World Cup [in India]. Nonetheless, the federal government to date has not given us any assurance or permission. The federal government, it appears, earlier than taking any remaining resolution, will await India’s response concerning the Asia Cup,” a supply within the PCB stated.
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