Ehsanur Rehman Mazari, the Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister, highlighted his concerns over the lack of cricket between Pakistan and India on Sunday, pointing to politics as the main obstacle.
In order to attain this goal, Mazari suggested that the two countries may engage in “cricket diplomacy” in an interview with a local news station. Mazari urged for the restoration of cricketing relations between the bitter foes.
He brought up the recent visit of the Indian baseball team to Pakistan and questioned why the Indian cricket team was still reluctant to play Pakistan.
He emphasised the importance of not viewing politics through the prism of sports and claimed that political issues have harmed cricketing ties between the two nations.
The PPP leader cited the HBL Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) effective operation in the nation, which included foreign players, as proof that the security situation in Pakistan is not a problem for outside players.
Mazari went on to discuss the choice of players and claimed that some players who were unfit for the team had been selected because of their ties.
He also criticised General (retired) Arif Hassan, the chairman of the Pakistan Olympics Association for the previous 20 years, alleging that he had written the constitution in such a way that he would stay the only chairman.
Mazari also mentioned how well-liked football is in Balochistan’s Quetta and Karachi’s Lyari, as well as how the Argentinian ambassador had indicated an interest in developing female football players there.
The PPP chairman thought that football may be a crucial tool for fostering goodwill and harmony between Pakistan and its neighbours.
It is important to note that the national cricket team’s participation in the ODI World Cup in India in 2023 is still subject to government approval. Additionally, the government is reportedly awaiting India’s response regarding their participation in the six-team Asia Cup, which Pakistan is slated to host in September.
Mazari pleaded with the government to give cricket top priority and take action to make it easier for the national team to compete in international competitions.
