PCB ‘disappointed’ by BCCI remarks on Asia Cup 2023
Board says such statements could impact Pakistan's participation in World Cup in India
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has responded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s remarks about Asia Cup 2023.
The PCB is surprised and disappointed by India’s refusal to tour Pakistan and insistence on shifting the tournament to a neutral venue.
“The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment of yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue,” the PCB said in a press release.
“The comments were made without any discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications,” it added.
The PCB also reiterated that “Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with an overwhelming support and response from the ACC Board Members”.
The Ramiz Raja-led cricket body also warned that such statements could have a devastating impact on the relationship between ACC members and future ICC events in India.
“The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities, and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle,” the press release further stated.
The Asia Cup in 2023 will be a 50-over event as it will be used to prepare for the ODI World Cup in India next year.
India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to strained relations between the two countries.
"Neutral venue for Asia Cup is not unprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan," Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI and also the president of the ACC, said on Tuesday. "I have decided that we will play at a neutral venue.”
The last bilateral series between the arch-rivals took place in 2012, when Pakistan toured India for limited-overs matches.
Over the past few years, the two countries have only faced each other in ICC and ACC events.
Stay tuned for T20 World Cup 2022 updates.
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