Table of Contents
- PCB Chairman urges BCCI to make a rational decision on Asia Cup 2023.
- Concerns raised over potential impact on the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
- Pakistan’s higher ranking in ICC ODI rankings emphasized as a reason not to ignore their team and country.
In a recent development, Najam Sethi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to make a rational decision regarding their reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Despite Pakistan winning the hosting rights for the tournament in 2022, the event’s location is in jeopardy due to political tensions between the two nations.
Sethi expressed his concerns not only about the Asia Cup but also about the potential implications for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, which is scheduled to take place in India from October 5. He emphasized that if the two boards fail to find common ground now, the cycle of game boycotts could persist.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Urges BCCI to Resolve Asia Cup 2023 Impasse
“It is crucial for the BCCI to make a sensible decision to prevent future problems. My main worry is not the Asia Cup; it’s the World Cup. India should avoid a scenario where we end up boycotting both the Asia Cup and the World Cup, which might lead to India boycotting the Champions Trophy as well. This would create a massive mess,” stated PCB Chairman Najam Sethi, as quoted by NDTV.
Reports indicate that Pakistan proposed a hybrid model to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), suggesting that India play their matches in the United Arab Emirates while the other teams compete in Pakistan. However, the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reportedly expressed reservations due to logistical challenges, leading to an impasse.
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Sethi voiced his disappointment, highlighting Pakistan’s higher ranking than India in the ICC ODI rankings, which he believes should not be disregarded. He called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to intervene and resolve the matter.
“Considering our top ranking in ODI cricket, how can you ignore our team and our country? The ICC should step in. However, my sense is that India would prefer to avoid ICC intervention,” Sethi added.
It is worth noting that the last time India traveled to Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. Since then, bilateral series between the two teams have been scarce, with their encounters primarily occurring in multi-national tournaments. This ongoing stalemate raises concerns about the future of cricketing relations between the neighboring countries.
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