Asian Cricket Council chief Jay Shah commented on Tuesday that India will not go to Pakistan to play in the next year’s Asia Cup. Post his comments, the Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement in which they threatened to withdraw from the ODI World Cup in India next year.
The former India skipper Aakash Chopra shared his views on his YouTube channel and said, “Asia Cup might not happen at all if India doesn't participate. Asia Cup is a small tournament as compared to the World Cup. Skipping the World Cup means you will let go a massive amount of revenue that ICC shares. It's a case of who blinks first. So I'm not taking this seriously. I feel the Asia Cup 2023 will be held and at a neutral venue”.
"Of course, ACC happens to be a consortium. But, few people must be aware that India doesn't take a single penny from ACC. Everybody takes a stipulated amount from ACC, four million or eight million, but India will distribute its amount instead. India plays the role of a big brother in ACC. If it has been said that the team will not travel to Pakistan, I can assure you in writing that it won't. The Asia Cup will be conducted at a neutral venue. And Pakistan will also certainly come to play in the World Cup. I am giving you this in writing. All these stuffs are guaranteed," he added.
Earlier, former Pakistan player Younis Khan stated that “Jay Shah shouldn't have said all this because he not only represents the BCCI but also the ACC. ACC not only consist of India but Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan also. The fans all over the world always eagerly wait for the clash between India and Pakistan and I think Jay Shah should have waited before making such a statement”.
India will play Pakistan in their Super 12 clash of the T20 World Cup on October 23 in Melbourne.