BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Team India will not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.
The hosting rights of the continental cup lies in the hands of Pakistan, who want to organize the event in their country. It’s been long since a multi-nation event was held in Pakistan.
There have been speculations whether India will travel to Pakistan to participate in the marquee event or not. However, Shah, who was commencing his second term in the position, confirmed that the Men in Blue will not travel to arch-rivals.
Shah insisted that the event should be held at a neutral venue just as the Asia Cup 2022 was played in the UAE after Sri Lanka failed to make arrangements amid economic tensions in the country.
“The Asia Cup 2023 will be held at a neutral venue. I am saying this as ACC President. We [India] can’t go there [to Pakistan], they can’t come here. In the past also, the Asia Cup has been played at a neutral venue,” Shah said after the 91st BCCI annual general meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday (October 18).
Pakistan considering pulling out of 2023 ODI World Cup
The statement from Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has given a major blow to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The PCB are upset with the timing of the statement as there is still a year left for the showpiece event.
As per sources close to PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, Pakistan are considering taking a strong step. They might even pull out of the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in India.
It remains to be seen how this drama will unfold in the coming months. The India-Pakistan matches generate massive commercial benefits for the ICC.
