Asia Cup 2023: How They Can Take A U-Turn Just To Please India? – Former PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf On Asian Cricket Council’s Stand For Asia Cup

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf wants the current board to take a stand against India along with other neighbouring teams to stand a chance against India over their refusal to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.

Earlier, India refused to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup stating security reasons. However, both cricket boards, after an initial standoff, are moving swiftly towards a resolution that could have both teams playing their tournament matches against each other outside Pakistan.

Speaking on Dawn about Pakistan’s decision, Zaka Ashraf said: “As the Asian Cricket Council’s Board has allocated the event to Pakistan, the board members should be taken into confidence aga­inst the Indian stance of not visiting Pakistan to par­t­icipate.

According to reports, the PCB chairman will raise a proposal in front of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to conduct India’s matches at a neutral venue and the rest in Pakistan. Ashraf feels other cricket boards might take a u-turn in the favor of BCCI to support India to play in neutral venues.

“All the board members of the ACC allocated the event to PCB then how they can take a u-turn just to please India,” Zaka Ashraf said.

Earlier, PCB chief Najam Sethi stated if BCCI doesn’t allow the Indian team to Pakistan for Asia Cup, then Pakistan might not visit India for the World Cup. While, Asia Cup 2023 is set to be hosted in Pakistan, in September, India is the host of the ODI World Cup 2023, which will start later this year.

PCB Has A Strong Case By Offering India To Play Their Matches At a Neutral Venue – Zaka Ashraf

Zaka Ashraf further continued PCB can offer India the to play their matches in a neutral venue if they deny travelling to Pakistan. However, a BCCI source recently revealed that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) believes hosting the tournament in the two countries is not commercially viable.

“I think the PCB has a very strong case by offering India to play their matches of the Asia Cup at a neutral venue if they don’t want to come to Pakistan,” Zaka Ashraf added.

Earlier the last month, Indian sports minister Anurag Thakur revealed BCCI will decide about India’s participation in the Asia Cup 2023, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan.

The six-nation Asia Cup, which will be played in a 50-over format and is likely to be played in the first part of September 2023, has grouped India and Pakistan with a qualifier. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are included in the other group. The final will be one of a total of 13 games that are played over 13 days.