PCB breaks its silence on the significant Asia Cup call, stating that the outcome may influence Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 trip to India.
PCB breaks its silence on the significant Asia Cup call, stating that the outcome may influence Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 trip to India.
Former cricketers Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi expressed their disappointment with the Asian Cricket Council’s decision to strip Pakistan of the hosting rights for the Asia Cup in 2023, as was to be anticipated. The Pakistan Cricket Board has issued an official statement, noting that the board is astonished and dissatisfied with the development and informed that the decision was made without any consultation with the PCB, a day after ACC president Jay Shah made the call.
“The PCB has taken notice of yesterday’s remarks by Mr. Jay Shah, the president of the ACC, about the relocation of the Asia Cup to a neutral site with surprise and regret. The statements were made without any discussion or consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board (the event’s host) or the Asian Cricket Council Board, and without any consideration of their long-term ramifications or implications, “it said in a statement.
“Mr. Shah’s announcement that the ACC Asia Cup would now go to Pakistan has been made unilaterally after he presided over the ACC meeting at which Pakistan was granted the tournament with a resounding vote of confidence from the ACC Board Members. The Asian Cricket Council was established in September 1983 as a unified Asian cricket organization to preserve the interests of its members and organize, develop, and promote the game of cricket in Asia. This runs counter to the idea and spirit for which it was established.”
The PCB acknowledged that it is a possibility after rumors that Pakistan may threaten to boycott the 50-over World Cup, which would be held in India next year. “The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities, and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle,” he said in a statement. “Pakistan is scheduled to host the Champions Trophy in 2025 and India has the hosting rights to next year’s World Cup, the T20 World Cup in 2026, Champions Trophy in 2029, and the 50-over World Cup in 2031
In the announcement, it was also said that the PCB has written to the Asian Cricket Council to request that it arrange an urgent board meeting as soon as realistically practicable to discuss this crucial and delicate issue.
