The debate over which country would host the 2023 Asia Cup doesn’t appear to be going away, as Pakistan and India have been at odds over where the continental competition will take place. While PCB chairman Najam Sethi has threatened to boycott India’s hosting of the ODI World Cup later this year in retribution, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has explicitly stated that India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the competition.
In a recent development, BCCI is apparently receiving support from Bangladesh Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket to shift the Asia Cup out of Pakistan. According to the article, both nations would even be open to hosting the competition if Pakistan were to lose its hosting rights.
According to a report in Geo News, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) may decide to replace Pakistan with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if Pakistan declines to take part in the competition.
The broadcasters have even been guaranteed by Jay Shah, who is also the president of the ACC, that any loss they suffer as a result of Pakistan’s absence will be made up for by an upcoming India series.
According to earlier reports, the tournament will follow a hybrid format, with all of India’s games—including the final, should they advance—taking place at a neutral site.
However, according to recent sources, the BCCI rejected the hybrid model put up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Indian government has reportedly instructed BCCI to take a strict stance at the upcoming ACC conference.
The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was in 2012–2013.
Notably, the two countries have been at odds since Pakistan was given the right to host the Asia Cup in 2023 in 2022. The present stance of the board, which is to refrain from traveling to India for the World Cup, was also expressed by the previous PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja.
Since their last bilateral series in 2012–13, India and Pakistan have only faced off in international competitions like the Asia Cup or World Cup. After another ACC meeting, it is anticipated that the misunderstanding surrounding Asia Cup would be resolved in the following months.