Tag: Asia Cup 2023

Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Management Committee Najam Sethi has confirmed that Pakistan will not play their 2023 World Cup matches in India if BCCI does not allow their team to travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup.

Amid the ongoing tussle between the two cricket boards over the hosting of the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, Sethi stated that PCB had presented a hybrid model keeping in mind India’s reservation over travelling to Pakistan.

However, he said, the same model would also be applied to the World Cup 2023 and Champions Trophy 2025.

“Our government will not allow us to play World Cup in India because their government stopped BCCI to send their team to Pakistan for Asia Cup,” he said in an interview with an Indian sports channel on Thursday.

Sethi revealed that he recently held a few meetings with an ACC representative in Dubai and proposed another hybrid model for the tournament since the earlier model was rejected by India.

“Hybrid model is a compromise but we are ready for it. We have offered to hold Asia Cup in two phases. In the first stage, four teams other than India will come to Pakistan. After that, we all will go to a neutral venue to play the rest of the matches including the final,” he explained.

“If the hybrid model is accepted for Asia Cup, then this will apply to World Cup too. We will play our matches during World Cup in Bangladesh or somewhere else.”

“Also, Champions Trophy 2025 will adopt the same model. It will make things simple for everyone. Meanwhile, if at any stage India agree to come to Pakistan, then we will also go to play World Cup there,” added the PCB head.

Moreover, he also hit out at Sri Lanka and Bangladesh boards for changing their stance on the hybrid model, warning Pakistan will back out of the Asia Cup if the tournament is completely shifted from Pakistan.

“BCCI secretary Jay Shah had asked in ACC meeting in Bahrain whether someone has a problem with touring Pakistan and no one said anything,” Sethi revealed.

“I think Sri Lankan Cricket Board want their country to be a neutral venue and we are ready to discuss it only if they accept the hybrid model” he added.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has come out in support of the country’s hosting right of the 2023 Asia Cup – scheduled later this year -, claiming, it is ‘our right to host international events’. 

The wicket-keeper batter said every major cricketing nation had toured Pakistan since the return of international cricket to its shore, adding, there was no excuse left for any team refusing to come to Pakistan.

“Our players and law enforcement agencies made tireless efforts to bring cricket back to Pakistan,” he said on Tuesday during the inauguration of Jinnah College Cricket Stadium here in Karachi.

“Many international teams have visited Pakistan so I don’t think there is any excuse left for any country not to send their team to our country.”

Moreover, Sarfaraz Ahmed stressed that Asian Cricket Council and International Cricket Council should take measures to bring all the teams to Pakistan for the international tournaments scheduled in Pakistan.

The 35-year-old also urged India to visit Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 since the people of the country eagerly wanted to see the blockbuster rivalry on their home soil.

“Pakistan is a great host. India should come to Pakistan,” he said.

It must be noted here that the fate of the upcoming Asia Cup hung in balance after India refused to send their team to Pakistan in October last year on political grounds and has since been trying to shift the tournament to a neutral venue.

Earlier, a report emerged that the two cricket boards were gradually moving towards a compromise and had nearly agreed to host India’s matches on a neutral venue while the rest of the tournament will be played in Pakistan.

As per the latest development, however, the BCCI has refused the hybrid proposal for both events and once again demanded to shift the Asia Cup entirely from Pakistan.

The two rival boards will further discuss the matter within the ACC platform to decide the fate of the six-team event.

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SHARJAH: The General Manager of Cricket for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Wasim Khan asserted that Pakistan may play their matches of the upcoming ODI World Cup at a neutral venue.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the Men’s ODI World Cup has been in jeopardy after the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) refused to tour Pakistan for the aforementioned tournament on political grounds.

The BCCI maintained their stance of not touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup, while the PCB was adamant that if they do not, then Pakistan might not travel to India for the World Cup in October-November.

In the latest development, however, reported by ESPN Cricinfo, PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are gradually moving towards a compromise after an initial standoff over the hosting of the Asian event.

The news reports claimed that two boards have nearly agreed to host India matches outside Pakistan while the rest of the matches will be played in the country.

Meanwhile, former CEO of the PCB Wasim shared his prediction regarding how this deadlock will unfold in an exclusive interview with ARY News on the sidelines of the recently-concluded T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan here and claimed that Pakistan might also play their world cup matches on a neutral venue.

“I don’t know if it would take place here on in a different country but a neutral venue is highly likely,” responded Wasim in a question regarding the likely neutral venue for India’s Asia Cup fixtures.

“I don’t think that Pakistan will play their matches in India. I think their matches will also be held at a neutral venue just like India’s Asia Cup matches,” Wasim concluded.

It may be noted here that the uncertainty around the 2023 Asia Cup began in October last year when the ACC president, and BCCI secretary, Jay Shah refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan and has since been trying to shift the tournament to a neutral venue.

An emergency meeting of the Asian Cricket Council was held in this regard in Bahrain last month but failed to reach a breakthrough.

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DUBAI: The long-running conflict between Pakistan and India regarding their participation in this year’s Asia Cup and Men’s ODI World Cup will take centre stage in the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting this weekend.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the Men’s ODI World Cup has been in jeopardy after the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) refused to tour Pakistan for the aforementioned tournament on political grounds.

The BCCI has maintained their stance of not touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup, while the PCB is adamant that if they do not, then Pakistan might not travel to India for the World Cup in October-November.

Meanwhile, the first quarterly meeting of the year got underway on Thursday with the women’s cricket committee and continued on Friday with the men’s committee.

Yet the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meeting on Saturday will be the focus of attention before the ICC Board and Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee convene on Sunday and Monday as one of the most pressing topics – the prevailing deadlock between Pakistan and India – will be under discussion.

The chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi is likely to raise Pakistan’s concerns about India’s hesitance in touring their country as the nation is poised to host ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 apart from this year’s Asia Cup.

“We have complex issues on hand but for me when I go to the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) and ICC meetings I have kept all options open for us and we have to take a clear position now,” said Sethi at a press conference earlier this week.

“There are two different matters, one is of ICC and the other is of ACC. This is not only about Asia Cup because we also have to host the Champions Trophy. I will go and talk with both ICC and ACC on this matter,” he added.

However, the final decision regarding Pakistan’s participation in ODI World Cup in India will be taken by the government, Sethi confirmed on Monday.

“I have approached our government to take their point of view on this matter. If our patron [PM Shehbaz Sharif] asks us to go and play World Cup in India regardless of whether they come here to play Asia Cup or not, we will have to consider it,” he said.

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LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Monday, shared an update regarding Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in Pakistan this year.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup has been in jeopardy briefly after Pakistan was rewarded the hosting rights for the event in October as the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) refused to tour the country on political grounds.

Meanwhile, Sethi, who held a press conference here at Gaddafi Stadium alongside chief selector Haroon Rasheed to announce the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, was asked to provide an update regarding the future of the Asia Cup.

“The situation is still the same. India will not come to Pakistan for Asia Cup. This is a very difficult and tricky situation which is still unresolved,” shared Sethi.

“There are two different matters, one is of ICC and the other is of ACC. This is not only about Asia Cup because we also have to host the Champions Trophy. I will go and talk with both ICC and ACC on this matter,” he added.

Sethi then shared that PCB sought advice from the federal government regarding this matter and stated that the cricket board will consider the decision of their patron – Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr Shehbaz Sharif – regarding this issue.

“I have approached our government to take their point of view on this matter. If our patron [PM Shehbaz Sharif] asks us to go and play World Cup India regardless of whether they come here to play Asia Cup or not, we will have to consider it,” he said.

“So far, our government’s point of view is also the same, if India do not come here, we will also not go there in World Cup. I believe that we have more security concerns in India due to the ongoing communal issues there,” he highlighted.

“So, we need to keep our government and security agencies in loop while making any decision regarding Asia Cup in Pakistan and World Cup in India,” Sethi concluded.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and legendary batter Javed Miandad lashed out at arch-rivals India amid the ongoing controversy regarding the hosting of this year’s Asia Cup.

The controversy came to light last year amid the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup when the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) announced that their national men’s team will not tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023.

According to the Indian, the decision was taken following the 91st BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the reports further suggested that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) hinted at shifting the tournament to a neutral venue.

“Neutral venue for Asia Cup is not unprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan,” Shah stated.

“I have decided that we will play at a neutral venue,” he maintained.

Following BCCI Secretary’s unilateral decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wrote a formal complaint to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and requested the ACC to call an emergency meeting in light of the current situation.

The PCB management then also hinted at pulling out of the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, scheduled in India as an act of protest against Shah’s remarks.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s batting great Miandad reacted to the ongoing controversy and did not mince his words as he lashed out at the arch-rivals India.

“I have always been saying, if India doesn’t want to come, we don’t care. They can go to hell. We are getting our cricket. It’s ICC’s job to control such things, else there’s no point of having a governing body,” Miandad said while speaking to the media.

“ICC should have one rule for every country. If such teams don’t come, no matter how strong they are, you should remove them.

“They should play, why aren’t they playing? They are afraid of consequences.

“Even in our times, they would not play because they were afraid of consequences. India’s crowd is ‘nasty’. Whenever India would lose, no matter against whom, they would burn houses. That’s what they are afraid of.”

It is pertinent to mention here that India last toured Pakistan in 2008 to partake in the Asia Cup.

The two sides last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for three T20Is and as many ODIs.

Since then, the two arch-rivals did not play a bilateral series and only met in ICC and ACC events.

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The Asian Cricket Council meeting in Bahrain ended inconclusively with the decision to give final nods to Pakistan to host Asia Cup 2023 has been delayed till the Council’s next meeting in March. 

The uncertainty around the 2023 Asia Cup began in October last year when the ACC president, and BCCI secretary, Jay Shah refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan and has since been trying to shift the tournament to a neutral venue.

An emergency meeting of the Asian Cricket Council was held in Bahrain on Saturday which was also attended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi.

No breakthrough was reached during the meeting regarding the fate of the Men’s ODI Asia Cup venue. scheduled in September this year.

“The ACC had a constructive dialogue on the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. The Board agreed to continue discussions on operations, timelines and any other specifics with a view to ensure the success of the tournament. An update on the matter would be taken on the next ACC Executive Board meeting to be held in March 2023,” said the ACC statement following the meeting.

According to the sources, Pakistan took a firm stance in the meeting with respect to its hosting right of Asia Cup 2023 while the Indian board was insistent on shifting the venue to UAE.

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan opined regarding India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for next year’s Asia Cup and advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take a strong stance on this matter.

During Tuesday’s episode of Har Lamha Purjosh – ARY News’ famous cricketing show, host Waseem Badami asked former cricketers Younis and Kamran Akmal to comment on the statement of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

In response, both former cricketers unanimously suggested that the PCB should take a strong stance on this matter and should stick to hosting the tournament regardless of India’s participation.

“I think Jay Shah should not have said that but since the bullet has been fired I would ask the PCB to take a firm stance on this issue, just like we did in the past [after New Zealand called off Pakistan’s tour at the eleventh hour] and as you know those teams have begun to tour the country,” said Younis.

“But if they [BCCI] decide to stick with their decision then it should not matter to us if the Indian team does not participate in Asia Cup and we should consider not travelling to India for the ODI World Cup the following year, nor we should agree to host Asia Cup at a neutral venue,” he maintained.

Kamran, on the other hand, echoed Younis’ comments and demanded a boycott of all matches against India, including their eagerly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup 2022 matches, which is set to take place on Sunday (October 23).

“I believe Jay Shah’s statement was unexpected, and since he attended the Pakistan-India game during this year’s Asia Cup, he should reserve politics for his opposition and avoid dragging it into sports,” Kamran said.

“Asia Cup should only be hosted in Pakistan and if that does not happen then Pakistan should not play against India at any level, be it ICC events’ matches, Asia Cup matches, or even their match on October 23,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that following the 91st BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, Shah, in his statement, announced that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, while also hinting to host the continental event at a neutral venue.

READ: PCB writes to ACC after India refuses to tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written a formal complaint to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) after the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) refused to tour the country for next year’s Asia Cup.

According to the details, in a letter written by the PCB, the cricket board has requested the ACC to call an emergency meeting in light of the current situation.

Sources further claimed that the PCB expressed concerns about the issue of not sending the Indian team to Pakistan and condemned the statement of the BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

It is pertinent to mention that following the 91st BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, Shah, in his statement, announced that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, while also hinting to host the continental event at a neutral venue.

Furthermore, the PCB called an emergency meeting following the statement of Shah and considered various options, including separation from the ACC and withdrawal from the ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place in India next year.

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MUMBAI: The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) have decided that their men’s cricket team will not tour Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, Indian media reported.

According to the Indian, the decision was taken following the 91st BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) here on Tuesday.

The details further suggest that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said that the Asia Cup 2023 may be played at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan.

“Neutral venue for Asia Cup is not unprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan,” Shah confirmed.

“I have decided that we will play at a neutral venue,” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that India last toured Pakistan in 2008 to partake in the Asia Cup.

The two sides last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for three T20Is and as many ODIs.

Since then, the two arch-rivals did not play a bilateral series and only met in ICC and ACC events.