BCCI gets support from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh over Asia Cup
India won’t travel to Pakistan for the event
RAWALPINDI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received support from cricket boards of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with regards to moving this year’s Asia Cup out of Pakistan.
According to sources, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are willing to host the Asia Cup if it’s moved out of Pakistan.
It must be noted that BCCI has refused to send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and is keen on ensuring that the event is held at a neutral venue.
Additionally, if Pakistan decides against playing the Asia Cup, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) could also consider replacing the Men in Green in the event with United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Jay Shah, who is the president of ACC and secretary BCCI, has also assured the broadcasters that the losses suffered due to Pakistan’s absence will be compensated during a series involving India in the near future.
Sources added that the BCCI has been asked by the Narendra Modi-led Indian government to adopt a strict stance during the next ACC meeting.
The BCCI is also unlikely to accept the hybrid model proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which would have given India the option to play their matches at neutral venue.
Earlier, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Najam Sethi, called for a rational approach to solve the looming crisis that threatens the successful hosting of the Asia Cup and the country's participation in the ODI World Cup this year.
Talking to the media on the occasion of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) meeting, Sethi said the Pakistan team’s chances of traveling to India for the ODI World Cup are low.
“In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to compete in the Asia Cup, chances are there that the Pakistan government would not allow the Men in Green to cross the borders for their World Cup participation. In that case, cricket will be the ultimate sufferer,” Sethi said.
“There should be a middle way to solve problems that surely threaten the smooth hosting of ICC and ACC events. In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the government will not allow us to travel to India to figure in the World Cup matches,” he added.
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