‘BCCI President, Vice President are coming to Pakistan,’ says Zaka Ashraf

LAHORE: Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee on Monday shared that BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice President Rajiv Shukla will visit Pakistan this week for the opening ceremony of ACC Men’s Asia Cup commencing from August 30.

While talking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium during the national men’s team’s jersey unveiling ceremony for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Zaka Ashraf welcomed the players and officials who are visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

“BCCI President and Vice President are coming to Pakistan for the opening ceremony of Asia Cup,” Zaka Ashraf said. “We welcome everyone who is coming to Pakistan [during Asia Cup],”

He also showed confidence and faith in the Pakistan team and expressed his hope that the national team will continue the recent good form and perform well at the Asia Cup as well as the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup in India.

“Our team is currently united and performing well, and consequently is number one in the ODI team rankings,” he said.

“Looking at the recent performances of the team, it is hoped that our team will be successful in the World Cup, however, at the moment all the attention is focused on the Asia Cup,” he added.

Talking about the recently unveiled Pakistan jersey for the World Cup, he said: “The Star Nation Jersey bears witness to the enduring bond between our cricketers and the passionate fans who stand by them through every match. This jersey encapsulates our rich cricketing heritage and the luminous future that awaits.”

READ: Afghanistan squad reaches Lahore for Asia Cup 2023

Zaka Ashraf meets Pakistan team ahead of Afghanistan series

Chairman PCB Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, had a meeting with the Pakistan men’s cricket team before their first One-Day International against Afghanistan in Hambantota.

On this occasion, the Chairman Management Committee PCB addressed the team, stating, “I have great hope that with your efforts and hard work, Pakistan will win the Asia Cup. After securing victory, I am sure you will carry this momentum and confidence in the World Cup, bringing the World Cup trophy back home.”

“This team under our great captain [Babar Azam] is performing really well. He has a talented team, and they are all performing in their respective roles. We have world-class batters and bowlers on the side. We have a good combination and I don’t find any reason why we should not win this trophy.”

Zaka Ashraf also stated that former cricketers from Pakistan and around the world were backing Pakistan as favourites for the Asia Cup because of their current form. He further told the players, “All of you are capable enough to beat your opponents. We have won the World Cup before and secured the Asia Cup twice. There is no reason to believe we cannot do it again. Show your best performance on the field. Best wishes are with you.”

Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan with the first match set to be played on 22 August. The series will conclude on 26 August before the team travels back to Pakistan to take play the opening match of the Asia Cup against Nepal on August 30.

READ: ‘Afghanistan series beneficial for major events,’ says Babar Azam

Zaka Ashraf invites Jay Shah to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan

DURBAN: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Zaka Ashraf invited Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, ARY News reported.

As per details, the PCB Management Committee chairman met the BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Durban South Africa on the sidelines of the CEC meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s annual session in Durban, South Africa and both agreed to continue meetings and strengthen the cricketing relations.

Sources claimed that BCCI Secretary accepted Ashraf’s invitation to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan before also extending an invitation to the PCB head for ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 in India.

Ashraf, in a bid to strengthen the cricketing ties between two neighbouring countries, also accepted the invitation.

Zaka Ashraf told the BCCI secretary that the people of Pakistan are famous for their hospitality and they know how to value their guests. This is a new beginning and the meetings will continue, he added.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), last month, accepted the hybrid model proposed by the PCB and confirmed the hosts and schedule of the Asia Cup 2023.

“We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from 31st August to 17th September 2023 and will see the elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches,” the ACC said in a statement.

The multi-national tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka despite massive opposition by the BCCI.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and joint-host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Dambulla to host Pakistan vs India clash as Asia Cup schedule ‘finalised’