“PCB Is Not A Weak Board” – Ex-PAK Skipper Cautions BCCI For Asia Cup 2023 Hosting Rights

As different reports come in for Asia Cup 2023 hosting rights, speculation starts in news reports, in a fresh row, Pakistan are likely to remain the host of Asia Cup and have its matches played in its own backyard, but it seems like India will play its matches at a separate overseas venue. Both BCCI and PCB, after an initial standoff, are moving swiftly towards brokering a resolution that could have both teams playing their tournament matches against each other outside Pakistan.

Former Pakistani skipper, Shahid Afridi, who recently won the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2023 with Asia Lions, advises BCCI that they should make more friends rather than enemies.

Ex-PAK skipper advises BCCI on Asia Cup saga-

“BCCI should resolve all issues affecting our cricketing ties. PCB wants India to come here to play. We are even willing to go there and play. However, for this, the BCCI should talk to the PCB once. We want to talk. We always take the first step and want the BCCI to reciprocate,”

“I urge the BCCI to not arrive at any decision just like that. They should talk to the PCB chairman at least once before arriving at any decision,” stated Afridi.

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

“What can we do if we want to befriend another board and it doesn’t reciprocate in kind? Our board isn’t a weak one. But there’s little we can do if we want to be friends and the other side doesn’t respond. The BCCI, as a cricket governing body, is very strong,”

“When you have so much power and clout, you become more responsible. You should try to make more friends, not enemies. Making more friends only makes you stronger,” he further added.

A night of Champions, a night of the Lions!@AsiaLionsLLC#LegendsLeagueCricket #SkyexchnetLLCMasters #LLCT20 #YahanSabBossHain pic.twitter.com/3zZ1uc87WL

— Legends League Cricket (@llct20) March 21, 2023

Recently, under Afridi’s leadership Lions defeated World Giants in LLC 2023 and emerge as the new champions. In the final held at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha, the Asia-based side won by a seven-wicket victory with 23 balls to spare, while chasing the target of 148 runs in 20 overs.

While in the Asia Cup 2023 saga, as reported by ESPNCricinfo, the overseas venue is not confirmed, but the UAE, Oman, Sri Lanka, and even England are potential contenders to host five matches including at least two India-Pakistan contests. It will interesting to see what will be decided for the biggest continental battle of the cricketing world in the coming days.