Amid the ongoing tussle over the venue for the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq believes that it’s the correct move to shift the continental event to Dubai.
Although the continental tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in September this year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), is adamant that the Indian team will not travel to the neighbouring country and has demanded that the event be moved to a neutral venue.
During the recent meeting of the ACC in Bahrain, which was attended by both BCCI secretary Shah and PCB chief Najam Sethi along with other ACC board members, no final call could be taken on the venue of the Asia Cup.
“It’s good for cricket. And for cricket promotion. India-Pakistan games only happen in ICC tournaments. If Asia Cup has been shifted to Dubai, then it’s the best option. It’s good for cricket and cricketers.
“It doesn’t happen like this. This has been on for years. If the two boards sit across the table and chat, it would be great. Both boards should solve this issue,” Razzaq told Geo News.
Pakistan and India do not play bilateral cricket and only meet in global tournaments or multi-team events since 2013 due to strained political tensions between the two countries.
India’s last trip to Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup, while Pakistan’s last visit to India was for the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup. The two teams last played each other at the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.