‘Teri jagah Zimbabwe khel lengi’ - Fans react as Pakistan Sports Minister demands playing 2023 ODI World Cup matches at neutral venues

The 2023 ODI World Cup is all set to take place in India from 5 October. Pakistan will also visit to play the mega event. Before that, the upcoming Asia Cup is finally going to happen as per the proposed hybrid model by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Despite being the host, only four matches will take place in Pakistan.

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The other nine matches will take place in Sri Lanka as India were determined not to visit Pakistan due to political barriers. Now, the Pakistan sports minister, Ehsan Mazari came up and in a chat with the Indian Express, he said that the Men in Green should demand of playing the World Cup matches at neutral venues like the hybrid model.

“Pakistan is the host, it has the right to hold all the matches in Pakistan.” - Ehsan Mazari

Mazari said: “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”.

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However, Zaka Ashraf is most likely to be the next PCB Chairman. He also shared his displeasure regarding the hybrid model but ensured that the tournament will go ahead as it is already discussed and approved. In a recent media interaction, he said: "In my personal opinion, this whole hybrid model isn't beneficial for Pakistan and I didn't like it. Being a host, Pakistan should have negotiated better to make sure that the entire tournament should have played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka taking the bigger lot of games, leaving Pakistan with only four games, isn't in the best interest of our country.”

"But I see the decision has been made, so we have to go with it. I will not block or have any intention not to comply with the decision. I cannot do much about it but to honour the commitment. But going forward, every decision we make will be made for and in the interest of the country," he added.   

Here is how fans have reacted:

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There is no comparison between Asia cup & WC

— shamba mazumder (@itsshambo) July 9, 2023

pic.twitter.com/fwxUUC7o1u

— Kamina (@bittu7664) July 9, 2023

Afghanistan ke sath kya hoga woh socho 😂

— Naveen (@_naveenish) July 9, 2023

Matt aao

— Ishaan Meet (@ishaanmeet) July 9, 2023

Demand toh kar hee sakte hain, bhale he woh fulfil na ho 🤣🤣🤣

— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) July 9, 2023

Pakistan ki jagah Zimbabwe khel lengi world cup👀😹

— Atul (@dikhhat_hai_) July 9, 2023

2 kaudi ke log jyada fudka nahi karte

— Sonnal S Sinha (@sonnalssinha) July 9, 2023

Pak can play all their matches at home with Zimbabwe.

— Deepak-JSR (@Deepak_D1105) July 9, 2023

beggars can't be choosers 😭

— Adish (@AdishG97) July 9, 2023