'If India Don't Play In Pakistan Then Pak Would Pull Out Of ODI World Cup In India,' Najam Sethi To Jay Shah: Report

Media reports have claimed that the Asia Cup 2023 could be hosted by United Arab Emirates (UAE), although an official confirmation is awaited.

Najam Sethi and Amit Shah reportedly discussed the issue at length during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Bahrain.

Source : AFP

It is a known fact that Pakistan and India do not play bilateral cricket anymore. The two teams only face off against each other when they meet at the Asia Cup, the Champions Trophy or the World Cups (ODI and T20). However, this time around a unique situation popped up as Pakistan were granted the hosting rights of the 2023 Asia Cup. Ever since this has been made clear, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who also happens to be the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has also categorically denied India's chances of playing cricket in Pakistan.

He has been firm that the tournament should be moved to a neutral venue as India won't travel to Pakistan. After Shah's statement, former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja had threatened that the BCCI could have serious consequences if they stick to their decision of not travelling to Pakistan as the Men in Green might also pull out of the ODI World Cup, scheduled to be played later in 2023, in India.

In a fresh development, Shah, the BCCI Secretary and Najam Sethi, the current chairman of the PCB, met during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Bahrain. Unsurprisingly, the two spoke about the issue. But as per a report, Shah continued to the same old opinion that India won't be travelling. To make matters more interesting, a media report also claimed that the Asia Cup could be hosted by United Arab Emirates (UAE), although an official confirmation is awaited.

Sethi's warning caught Shah by surprise: Report

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Sethi has warned Shah that if BCCI remains firm on its decision then Pakistan might also pull out of the ODI World Cup in India with Sethi warning Shah in the meeting on February 4.

"The PCB took particular exception to that and ESPNCricinfo understands that on Saturday their chief Najam Sethi told Shah that if India don't play in Pakistan, Pakistan will consider not playing in India for the 2023 World Cup," a report carried by ESPNCricinfo quoted.

Another report quoted that Shah wasn't expecting this response from Sethi. Nonetheless, a final decision on the matter could be taken in March which is when the Board Meetings of the World Cricket Governing Body, ICC, and the apex body of cricket in Asia- -ACC, have their Executive Board meetings one after the other.