Following the the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decison to not travel Pakistan for next year’s Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling to pull out of the 2023 World Cup, which will be held in India.
On Tuesday, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), had stated that “India will play the Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue,” making it clear that Rohit Sharma & Co. won’t be traveling to Pakistan for the tournament.
“The Asia Cup 2023 will be held at a neutral venue,” Shah told reporters following BCCI’s 91st Annual general Meeting in Mumbai. “I am saying this as ACC President. We [India] can’t go there [to Pakistan], they can’t come here. In the past also, Asia Cup has been played at a neutral venue.”
Reacting strongly to Shah’s announcement, the PCB is now planning to take a harsh call.
As per reports, a meeting of the PCB’s think tank is undergoing in Lahore in which matters including Asia Cup participation and India’s denial are being discussed.
“The PCB, as per sources, would be declaring the ACC President and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah’s decision on the tour unnecessary and hasty, further noting that Shah cannot take a unilateral decision by himself,” a report in Geo.tv stated.
Notably, Pakistan is set to host the 50-over Asia Cup right before the ODI World Cup in India.
India have not toured their neighbouring country since 2008 and both sides only meet during multi-nation or ICC events.
India’s last tour of its neighbouring nation came in 2008, for that year’s Asia Cup where MS Dhoni & Co. ended as runners-up while its last bilateral series came in early 2013 when Misbah-ul-Haq-led Pakistan team had toured India for three ODIs and two T20Is. Since then, both sides have met only during multi-nation or ICC events.