India's home ministry to accept an invitation to travel to Pakistan for 2023 Asia Cup, says sports minister
I expect all countries to come and compete,” says Anurag Thakur on Pakistan, who may struggle to tour India for the 2023 World Cup.
India's Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said on Thursday that the country's home ministry will take a call on the men's team traveling to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup. Thakur also said he "expects" Pakistan to play the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
His comments come after BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), suggested that next year's Asia Cup would have to be played somewhere other than Pakistan because India "cannot go there". In response, the PCB issued a statement saying Shah's comments were made "unilaterally" and raised the prospect of an "impact" on Pakistan's participation in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
"All the teams that qualify [for the World Cup] are invited [to India]," Thakur told a select gathering of journalists when asked about the events surrounding Shah's announcement. I feel India is not in a position to dictate and there is no reason for anyone to do that. I expect all countries to come and compete."
Later in the day, newly appointed BCCI president Roger Binny echoed what Thakur had pointed out, suggesting that the decision on India's tour to Pakistan was not solely up to the BCCI but up to the Indian government. "That's not BCCI's call," Binny said. Once we get permission, we will give approval. We cannot decide on our own."
Asked about India's trip to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Thakur said, "It is a decision that will be taken by the home ministry. Overall, the safety of the players is important."
It was pointed out that international teams have started touring Pakistan in recent times, but Thakur deflected the question.
By the way, Jay Shah is the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah.
I expect all countries to come and compete,” says Anurag Thakur on Pakistan, who may struggle to tour India for the 2023 World Cup.
India's Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said on Thursday that the country's home ministry will take a call on the men's team traveling to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup. Thakur also said he "expects" Pakistan to play the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
His comments come after BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), suggested that next year's Asia Cup would have to be played somewhere other than Pakistan because India "cannot go there". In response, the PCB issued a statement saying Shah's comments were made "unilaterally" and raised the prospect of an "impact" on Pakistan's participation in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
"All the teams that qualify [for the World Cup] are invited [to India]," Thakur told a select gathering of journalists when asked about the events surrounding Shah's announcement. I feel India is not in a position to dictate and there is no reason for anyone to do that. I expect all countries to come and compete."
Later in the day, newly appointed BCCI president Roger Binny echoed what Thakur had pointed out, suggesting that the decision on India's tour to Pakistan was not solely up to the BCCI but up to the Indian government. "That's not BCCI's call," Binny said. Once we get permission, we will give approval. We cannot decide on our own."
Asked about India's trip to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Thakur said, "It is a decision that will be taken by the home ministry. Overall, the safety of the players is important."
It was pointed out that international teams have started touring Pakistan in recent times, but Thakur deflected the question.
By the way, Jay Shah is the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah.
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