Tension between Asian arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the cricketing arena continued with India on Thursday (20) reacting sharply to Pakistan's threat to pull out of the 50-over World Cup from India next year after Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah remarked earlier this week that India will not go to Pakistan to play in Asia Cup 2023.
Indian sports minister Anurag Thakur reacted to the row saying, "You can't ignore India", and asserted that "all top teams" will arrive in India to play the quadrennial tournament.
Indian sports minister Anurag Thakur (ANI Photo)
"The ODI World Cup will take place next year in India and all big teams around the globe will take part in it. Because you can't ignore India in any sport. India has contributed a lot to sports, especially cricket. What is cricket without India," Thakur said.
The minister said the ball was in the court of the Indian home ministry to decide on the national team's travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
"Possibilities are always there. Who thought there would be Covid-19? Anything can happen but the chances (of the Indian team travelling 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," Thakur said, according to Press Trust of India.
Jay Shah's statement has triggered strong reactions from the Pakistani cricket community.
The country, which remained sidelined as a host to international matches for many years since the horrific terror attack on the Sri Lankan national side on its soil in 2009, has resumed hosting top international teams at home since last year.
Top teams such as Australia and England have toured Pakistan in recent times.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said 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," the PCB said in a statement.
The off-field clash comes days before India and Pakistan play in the opening match of the ongoing T20 World Cup in Australia on Sunday (23).
Bilateral cricket remains suspended between the two countries who play each other only in multi-team tournaments.
India last toured Pakistan for Asia Cup in 2008 while Pakistan last visited India for bilateral white-ball series in 2012.
Relations between the two neighbours have nosedived in recent times over question of Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.
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