World Cup 2023
The ACC President Jay Shah’s statement that the 2023 Asia Cup will be played at a neutral site put the Indian and Pakistani cricket boards on a crossroads. Leading the neighbours to threaten to boycott the ODI World Cup 2023.
As a lead-up to the prestigious World Cup in India. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has given Pakistan the hosting rights of the Asia Cup in 2023.
However, as soon as Jay Shah, the president of the Asian Cricket Council stated that the Indian cricket team would not be going to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan warned to boycott World Cup the following year in India.
According to a decision made by the executive board of the Asian Cricket Council. Pakistan will host the next Asia Cup in 2019.
While the President has stated: “India will play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue.”
PCB intends to make a difficult decision in this regard. As failing to allow both teams to compete in multi-team events will result in financial losses.
“The PCB is now prepared to take hard decisions and play hard ball. Because it is also aware that the ICC and ACC events will have to face commercial liabilities and losses if Pakistan does not play India in these multi-team events,” a senior PCB source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
Reaction from Pakistan
It was just a matter of time before Pakistani responses started coming in. And the first one came from a gamer who doesn’t usually remark much.
Saeed Anwar blasted the BCCI on Twitter for refusing to let Indian players tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
“When all international teams and international cricketers come to Pakistan for @OfficialPSL, what is @BCCI’s problem. If BCCI is willing to go to a neutral venue. Then @TheRealPCB should also be willing to go to a neutral venue for the WC in India next year. #PAKvIND #Cricket,” he tweeted.
Apart from international and continental events, Pakistan last visited India in 2012 for a brief six-match bilateral white-ball series.
A multi-nation event was last held by the neighbours in 2016 when India hosted the T20 World Cup. At the last minute, Pakistani players were able to secure government authorisation. And Team India’s most recent trip to Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup.
As per FTP, teams will play next year’s Asia Cup in a 50-over format in advance of World Cup. The Champions Trophy among two ICC tournaments that Pakistan likely to host in next three years.
It is the first time that the nation has received the hosting privileges for two significant ICC events. However, it is highly improbable that the PCB and other officials will be content with BCCI’s selection of a neutral venue.
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