India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2022: Putting an end to all speculations and rumors, Board of Control for Cricket In India's (BCCI) newly appointed secretary Jay Shah on Tuesday clarified that team India won't travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. Shah's big revelation led to further speculations whether BCCI refusing to tour Pakistan will lead to cancellation of the tournament or invite some serious backlash from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
"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."
Meanwhile, Shah's stern rejection has invited a strong reaction from Pakistan. Former Pakistan cricketer Saeed Anwar, who rarely gives controversial statements and mostly avoids limelight, took to Twitter to lash out at BCCI, saying that if the Indian board asks for Asia Cup 2023 to take place at a neutral venue then even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should reach International Council Of Cricket (ICC) to host 2023 ODI World Cup, slated to be hosted by India, at some different place.
"When all international teams and international cricketers come to Pakistan for @OfficialPSL, what is @BCCI's problem. If BCCI is willing to go to a neutral venue, then @TheRealPCB should also be willing to go to a neutral venue for the WC in India next year. #PAKvIND #Cricket," he tweeted.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will lock horns on October 23 at Melbourne Cricket Ground in their T20 World Cup 2022 match on Sunday.