Asia Cup: India Agar Aankhe Dikha Raha Hain… – Shahid Afridi On India’s Stance To Not Travel To Pakistan For Asia Cup

The 2023 Asia Cup will be the 16th edition of the tournament, and the matches played will be of One Day International format. Pakistan is expected to host the marquee event. But, after BCCI secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head Jay Shah said the Indian team would not travel to their neighbouring country for the Continental tournament, the war of words began between both nations. Former Pakistan’s skipper Shahid Afridi said that India is showing such an attitude because they have made themself that big.

Afridi said expressed his view on the Pakistani news channel on India’s refusal to visit Pakistan-

“If anyone is unable to stand on his own feet and then the decision to make strong calls is not easy. They have to look at plenty of things. India agar aankhe dikha raha hain (If India is showing attitude), or taking such strong stance, then they have made themselves that strong, hence they are being able to talk like this, otherwise they wouldn’t have the courage. At the end it’s making yourself strong and then take decisions,” said right-handed batter Afridi.

“I have no idea, will India visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup? Will we boycott the ODI World Cup in India? But we need to take a stand at some point or the other. In this case ICC’s role becomes crucial, they should come forward. I think even ICC won’t be able to do anything in front of BCCI,” added veteran cricketer Afridi.

Indian star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his view recently on this topic on his Youtube channel, he said that it is possible PCB take the decision to not travel to India for ODI World Cup in 2023 if Men in Blue doesn’t tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023.

Ashwin gave his take on India’s hesitation to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023-

“Asia Cup was supposed to take place in Pakistan. But, India has announced that if it takes place in Pakistan, then we won’t be participating. When we say Asia Cup won’t go to their place, they will say that they will also not come to our place,” Ashwin said

R. Ashwin however said that it is not possible for our neighbour Pakistan to give ICC ODI World Cup a miss and it is more of a threat. “But however, I think that is not possible“, said off-spinner Ashwin on Pakistan’s stand to miss ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

It is expected that UAE will host the 16th edition of the Asia Cup, and the venue and dates will be announced in the coming days. The reports have suggested that both PCB and BCCI have agreed on the natural venue for the prestigious tournament. The official announcement will be made at the next ACC executive board meeting in March 2023.

Asia Cup 2023 is expected to begin in September, and 6 teams are expected to participate in the tournament including India. Sri Lanka is the defending champions, it was originally scheduled to be in 2021 but was postponed due to the packed schedule.

Also read: PSL 2023: Shahnawaz Dahani Ruled Out Of Pakistan Super League Due To Finger Injury