Since the time the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah made an affirmative claim that India will not travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, tensions have brewed between the Indian cricket board and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). PCB chief Ramiz Raja has on numerous occasions voiced his against Shah's comments while making a solid statement of his own, claiming that Pakistan would skip the 2023 ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in India, if BCCI doesn't budge from its decision. PCB chief once again spoke on the burning issue and pointed fingers at the BCCI for creating a stir.
"What happens if the government of Pakistan doesn't allow Pakistan to travel to India because of security issues?" Ramiz told BBC's Test Match Special
"It is quite an emotional subject here. The debate was started by BCCI in a way. We had to respond. Test cricket needs India v Pakistan," Raja added.
While explaining his sentiments on the subject, the PCB chief cited an example from the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar where USA and Iran played against each other despite enormous political tensions between the two countries.
"You saw what happened in the (T20) World Cup - 90,000 fans turned up (at MCG). I am just a little disappointed with the ICC. When the point was put to the FIFA president why is the US playing Iran, Iran has so many issues regarding women's rights, he picked up the football and said this can solve a lot of issues. Through sports, we can take care of the tribe mentality. I feel let bat and ball talk," he added.
According to the ICC's FTP, Pakistan are also scheduled to host the Champions Trophy in 2025 in addition to the Asia Cup in 2023. Since the return of international cricket in their country, the Champions Trophy will be the first ICC event to be scheduled in Pakistan.
