Pakistan likely to pull out of ODI World Cup as India refuses to travel for Asia Cup
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reviewing options to quit the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) besides skipping ODI World Cup 2023 as the Indian cricket board refused to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.
Jay Shah, who holds the position of the BCCI secretary as well as the president of the Asian Cricket Council, while talking to the journalists after the BCCI annual meeting, announced that, ‘the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023.’
Jay Shah, son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, said that, ‘India cannot go there, Pakistan cannot come here, so Asia Cup should be played at a neutral venue.’
Notably, this year the Asia Cup was moved to United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the uncertain political situation in Sri Lanka.
On the contrary, Pakistan successfully hosted Australia and England this year, but Pakistan has not hosted any tournament since the restoration of international cricket in the country.
Speaking to private news channel, PCB spokesperson said, “We are disappointed and surprised by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah’s statement.”
Sources close to PCB’s top brass, including chairman Ramiz Raja, told that, “if the Asia Cup is moved to neutral venue, the country’s cricket governing body will respond in exactly the same way, with a result, it is possible that the national team will not participate in the ODI World Cup next year, which will be hosted by India.”
He added that, Pakistan understands India’s position regarding playing bilateral series, but India’s non-participation in tournaments involving teams from different countries is a breach of promise and if India does not visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the PCB will seriously consider withdrawing from the 2023 World Cup.”
Due to political tensions, the teams of Pakistan and India do not visit each other’s countries, but both teams have been coming face to face in international and Asian tournaments.
The two teams competed in the Asia Cup last month, while the two teams will compete in the T20 World Cup this month as well.
