Cricket News

‘Allah ka shukr hei’ – Fans take sigh of relief as India refuses travelling to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, new venue to be decided on Saturday

Published on February 4, 2023

Pakistan, who are slated to host the Asia Cup in 2023, have not come to agreeable terms with the Indian management over the hosting of the continental tournament. Jay Shah, the secretary of the Indian Cricket Board and the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), had stated in 2022 that they would not travel to Pakistan and preferred that the tournament be hosted in a neutral location. Ramiz Raja, the former chairman of the PCB, even made threats to skip the 2023 World Cup, which will be hosted by India.

According to PCB Chairman Najam Sethi, the decision was made solely on its own. A final decision will be made during a meeting with ACC members slated on February 4 (Saturday) in Bahrain. Back in 2008, when Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka defeated India in the championship game.

“Jay is in Bahrain for the ACC meeting. The Indian Cricket Board’s stand will not change. We will not be traveling to Pakistan as we haven’t got any go-ahead from the government,” a source close to Indian Cricket Board said.

I will decide it in the meeting, keeping an eye on the situation: Najam Sethi

PCB has been given the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy in 2025; if the Asia Cup 2023 is stolen from them, doubts will be raised regarding their hosting of the 2025 CT as well. There have been discussions of PCB obtaining the rights, although the competition would be held in the UAE or Qatar because of Qatar’s interest. We have all seen how the UAE hosted the 2022 Asia Cup with Sri Lanka having the rights.

Since Jay Shah stated that the entire government makes the choice to travel to Pakistan, it appears doubtful that the event will be held there. We are all aware of the poor relations between the two countries. The gathering will be intriguing to see because Pakistan fans are hoping to attend a multi-nation event in September.

Since the beginning of his term, current chairman Najam Sethi has refrained from commenting on the subject in favor of watching for the ACC meeting. “Finally, we have a date now to meet ACC officials. I will attend ACC’s meeting on February 4 in Bahrain. I am not sure about our stance for now; I will decide it in the meeting, keeping an eye on the situation,” Sethi said.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Jay Shah’s decision:

It should still go ahead and take place in Pakistan.
— Chamal Mediwaka (@chamalm) February 4, 2023

Jay Shah to Najam Sethi pic.twitter.com/RWuHrAsuRY
— retired ICT fan (@anubhav__tweets) February 3, 2023

Pakistan ☕️😹 pic.twitter.com/DX94xvfMI6
— Ankit (@cricholic90) February 3, 2023

This is easily possible for BCCI coz it's just Asia cup. But what are we gonna do when the champions trophy in Pakistan comes around?
— PNC (@dh_7_11) February 3, 2023

And Pakistan won't travel to Endia
— uzi (@amuzisyed) February 3, 2023

Bas politics hi lana har cheex mei
— Sheikh Aadil Bashir (@sheikhaadilbas3) February 3, 2023

BCCI to PCB 😝 pic.twitter.com/kgyhZwYyX3
— Ash (@Ashsay_) February 3, 2023

This is easily possible for BCCI coz it's just Asia cup. But what are we gonna do when the champions trophy in Pakistan comes around?
— PNC (@dh_7_11) February 3, 2023