New Delhi: Enthusiasts have intensified regarding the Asia Cup 2023. It is being said that there will be a meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Bahrain on 4 February. The ACC meeting will be chaired by chairman Jay Shah. While other members of the council including Pakistan Cricket Board chief Najam Sethi will participate in it. A Cricbuzz report states that the BCCI and PCB will come face-to-face in a meeting regarding the change in the venue of the Asia Cup 2023. The hosting rights of Asia Cup 2023 were earlier awarded to Pakistan by the ACC. However, Jay Shah speaking to the Indian media said that Indian players cannot travel to Pakistan due to political reasons and the tournament will have to be held at a neutral venue.
Najam Sethi’s stance is similar to that of Rameez Raja
After this, former PCB chairman Rameez Raja made it clear in a statement that he will not go to India for the ODI World Cup if India does not come to Pakistan. The Asia Cup this year is to be held in the 50-over format, last year the Asia Cup was a T20 event. Holding the Asia Cup away from Pakistan could become a bone of contention between the BCCI and the PCB as the current PCB chairman Najam Sethi is of the same stand as Rameez Raja. Sethi had targeted Jai Shah while announcing the program of the Council. He was upset as to why he was not informed about the schedule and calendar when the PCB is hosting the Asia Cup. However, the ACC denied his statement.
PCB does not have the support of other members in this matter
Shah, on the other hand, has maintained the stand that India cannot visit Pakistan to play cricket matches without the approval of the Indian government. Also, the PCB is adamant on hosting the tournament. However, as per reports, the PCB does not have the support of other members in the matter.
