Pakistan have reportedly threatened to make big moves in order to ensure that Team India travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, according to reports from PTI. The news agency have reported that if India do not participate in the Asia Cup, which will be hosted in Pakistan, then Pakistan will not travel to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
These reports have emerged after BCCI secretary Jay Shah's statement that they would prefer to play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue than travel to Pakistan for the event. The next edition of the Asia Cup as per the Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) executive board's decision, will take place in Pakistan, and Incidentally, Shah is the president of the ACC.
During an informal media outing, after the BCCI's Annual General Body meet in Mumbai, Shah said, "India will play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue.
"Sources close to PCB chairman Ramiz Raja indicated that one of the options that they are mulling after Shah's statement is to pull out of 50-over ICC World Cup in India. The PCB is now prepared to take hard decisions and play hardball because it is also aware that the ICC and ACC events will have to face commercial liabilities and losses if Pakistan does not play India in these multi-team events," a senior OCB source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
India plays Pakistan at global or continental events but have not travelled to the neighbouring country since the 2008 Asia Cup. Pakistan last came to India for a short six-match white ball bilateral series in 2012.
The PCB when contacted declined to give an official reaction to Shah's statement.
"We have nothing to say at the moment but yes we will look at things and take up this matter at appropriate forums like the ICC board meeting in Melbourne next month," a spokesperson said. However, it has been learnt that PCB Chairman Raja and other senior officials were very upset with the announcement by Jay Shah that India would not travel to Pakistan next year and had decided to take some hard decisions now.
PCB could also pull out of ACC membership
The PCB sources said that Raja would be sending a strong letter to the ACC on the matter and would be demanding an emergency meeting of the ACC board to be convened in Melbourne next month to discuss Shah's statement.
The insider also disclosed that the PCB had decided to look at several options and would not accept any disruption to its hosting rights.
"One option under consideration will be to pull out of the ACC as the PCB believes the ACC was formed to promote and develop cricket in the region and forge unity among the member nations. But the President of the ACC is going to give statements like these, there is no use for Pakistan to remain in the body," he added.
