“We Are Ready To Bear Loss Of $3 Million”- PCB Chief Najam Sethi On Pakistan Boycotting Asia Cup 2023

Najam Sethi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief has said that the board is ready to bear the financial losses amounting to $3 million in case the Men in Green are forced to boycott the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 as India has not budged from its stance of not traveling to Pakistan who are the hosts.

Pakistan is insisting on having India come to Pakistan and play in the ACC tournament, while the BCCI back in October 2022 declared that they will not send the Indian team to the neighboring country due to security reasons.

Since then, Ramiz Raja, former PCB chief, and Najam Sethi, his successor have echoed the calls to boycott the ICC World Cup which will be held in India later this year in retaliation putting the carrot of a huge India-Pakistan match in the ICC event as bait.

Recently, ESPNCricinfo has reported that the BCCI and the PCB have agreed to host India’s matches for the Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue. After a huge standoff, the two cricket boards are working towards a swift resolution with the tournament set to be played in September.

However, since then, talks are being made on moving the entire tournament out of Pakistan as PCB doesn’t want to see themselves playing the final in front of another crowd instead of home support. Notably, India was to host the 2018 Asia Cup, but had to move it to UAE as Pakistan refused to tour India citing security concerns.

People Don’t Want Us To Go To India If India Doesn’t Come To Pakistan: Najam Sethi Says PCB Ready To Bear Financial Losses Of Boycotting Asia Cup 2023

Najam Sethi, has revealed the potential financial repercussions of boycotting the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2023 World Cup. In past, PCB relied heavily on financial support from the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has brought a significant change to PCB’s financial situation.

“If we don’t play Asia Cup, we will face a loss of $3 million. If we don’t play World Cup or boycott it, then our relations with ICC will worsen.  India and Pakistan game in a World Cup also holds great significance. Issues will arise.

As far as finances are concerned, my personal opinion is that in the past, PCB was dependent on the money from ICC, so we had to agree to their terms. However, now PSL has made PCB financially independent. We get the same amount from PSL, that we receive from ICC. We have decided that we are ready to bear loss of $3 million in order to protect our honor and political stance,” Sethi said as per Cricket Pakistan.

Sethi acknowledged that Pakistan fans do not want the Men in Green to play in India if India does not reciprocate by playing in Pakistan.

“I know people don’t want us to go to India if India doesn’t come to Pakistan. People want us to stand our ground and not be dictated to,” he added.

Asia Cup 2023 is supposed to be played in September this year as a precursor for the World Cup 2023 in India.

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