Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi cricket boards have apparently supported the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in their decision to host 2023 Asia Cup outside Pakistan. According to GEO News, the two boards are also interested in hosting the continental tournament if it is moved outside of Pakistan.
The BCCI refused to send its players to India, and instead wanted the tournament held in a neutral location. Pakistan has already threatened to withdraw from the elite tournament if it is not granted the hosting rights. Asian Cricket Council (ACC) could include UAE instead of Pakistan in such a situation. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam sethi made it clear to the board that Pakistan will not send its men to the 2023 ODI World Cup if India does not send their men over to Pakistan to compete in the Asia Cup.
If India refused to go to Pakistan for the Asia Cup it is likely that the Pakistani government wouldn’t allow the Men in Green cross the border to participate in the World Cup. Sethi told reporters that cricket would be the ultimate victim in this case.
“There needs to be a way of solving problems that threaten the smooth running of ICC and ACC tournaments.” “In the event that India refuses to travel to Pakistan to play in the Asia Cup, then the government will allow us to go to India and participate in World Cup matches,” added he.
PCB wants BCCI to “write guarantee” India’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy
BCCI rejected the hybrid model proposed by Pakistan, which said that Pakistan would host the matches while India’s would be played at a neutral venue in UAE. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board asked the BCCI to provide a “written assurance” that Pakistan would not be playing its World Cup matches in India unless BCCI and ICC gave written guarantees that India would come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The ACC will take a definitive stance in this conflict at a meeting between Najam Shah and Jay Sethi. The Asia Cup will begin in September and the ODI World Cup on October 5.
