The high-octane Asia Cup 2023 was scheduled to be played in Pakistan, but the Indian team refused to travel to the country citing political tension between both countries and security reasons, even though Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) continued interest in hosting the tournament at home and BCCI has support from other ACC members to move the tournament out of Pakistan.
Sharing his views on this matter, Pakistan Wicket-keeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed believes PCB should take a stance about India’s visit to Pakistan, citing the examples of other countries playing cricket in Pakistan after a long time and saying that they should have a similar stance about India- Pakistan games.
“We should not even talk about India not coming to Pakistan. We should take our stance that India should come and play in Pakistan. The way people of Pakistan have seen the likes of Steve Smith, Joe Root, and James Anderson playing in Pakistan, similarly they want to see an India vs Pakistan match in Pakistan,” Sarfaraz Ahmed said in Cricket Pakistan.
Earlier it was reported that PCB indicated that in case the Asia Cup is moved from the country, the Pakistan team may not participate in the event and it will put huge a question mark on their participation in the all-important ODI World Cup later this year in India.
The Pakistan Players And PCB Has Struggled A Lot To Bring Cricket Back In The Nation – Sarfaraz Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed believes that it is right of the Pakistan Cricket Board to bring visiting teams to play cricket in the country as they have struggled a lot to bring cricket following their International cricket ban in 2009 and feels that India should come to play in the country to support the cricket in Pakistan and also added that Pakistan is one of the best places for hosting cricket in the World.
“Every team is coming to Pakistan. We should not appeal (to teams to come and play in Pakistan), it is our right that cricket comes to Pakistan. The Pakistan players and PCB has struggled a lot to bring cricket back to the nation. Our security forces, intelligence unit, and army personnel have played a crucial role in bringing cricket back to Pakistan,” he added.
“I think India should come to play in Pakistan and every team that has come here and played should support Pakistan. The way we host teams, there would hardly be any country in the world that would match us,” Sarfaraz Ahmed added.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the BCCI has begun preparations for a potential five-nation tournament, which could be held during the window of the Asia Cup in September if things don’t go according to plan in the ACC meeting and a few important decisions regarding the continental event will be taken soon by the officials.