New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have indulged in a verbal battle over the venue of next year's Asia Cup 2022, set to be played in Pakistan. Few days back, Jay Shah, BCCI secretary and Asia Cricket Council (ACC) President, had said that team India won't be traveling to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, adding that a neutral venue will be picked for the tournament. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) strongly reacted to Shah's statement, hinting that this might impact Pakistan's participation in the 50-overs ODI World Cup in India.
Shah's statement led to further speculations whether BCCI refusing to tour Pakistan will lead to cancellation of 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."
Many former Pakistan cricketers have given strong-worded reactions on Shah's statements and the latest to join the bandwagon in bowling legend Wasim Akram.
“Badi zabardast statement di hai cricket board ne. India can't dictate ki Pakistan kaise cricket khele. Aur Pakistan me cricket bhi 10-15 saal baad shuru hui hai. I'm an ex-cricketer, sportsperson, I don't know what's happening on political front. But people to people contact zaroori hai. Agar aapko kehna hi tha Jay Shah sahab, toh aap kam se kam hamaare chairman ko phone karte, meeting bithaate Asian Council ki. Aap apna idea dete, uspe discussion hoti,” Akram said on A Sports.
“You can't just stand up and say we are not travelling. Jabki award kiya hai poore council ne Pakistan ko Asia Cup. That's not fair,” Akram further said.