The stand-off between India and Pakistan on the imminent Asia Cup 2023 continues as fans still await the final verdict on the venue saga which has become the bone of contention between the arch-rivals.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are at loggerheads where India have given their verdict that they don't want to visit Pakistan to play Asia Cup and has demanded to change the venue. Meanwhile, PCB is also rigid to host the tournament as in a bid to make it happen they also proposed the hybrid model, which says Asia Cup 2023 will be played in Pakistan apart from India games that will take place in UAE, but has so far failed to bring BCCI to an agreement.
With tensions only rising day by day, the stand-off on Asia Cup 2023's venue might also have a spiral effect on ODI World Cup 2023 which will be held in India later this year. Pakistan has also threatened India to not visit India for the ODI World Cup if things don't pan out well on Asia Cup.
However, with not much time left for the Asia Cup 2023, a decision is expected to be taken soon. Recently PCB said that if the Asia Cup is moved out of Pakistan then the World Cup 2023 and Champions Trophy 2025 will too suffer as well as they might end up boycotting both events.
Meanwhile, former India skipper Shahid Afridi has given a big statement on India-Pakistan's imbroglio on both Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023. He has said that PCB should send Pakistan to India to play ODI World Cup as it will only send a positive message.
"Pakistan team should tour India for the World Cup. This will send a positive message about Pakistan supporting cricket,” Afridi said.
Afridi also gave his suggestion on the venue saga on Asia Cup. The 46-year-old said that Asia Cup should be played in Pakistan and cricket and politics should be handled separately.
“Asia Cup should take place in Pakistan. I think cricket and politics should be kept separate. There should be no further delay with regards to the final decision on the Asia Cup,” he further added.
Notably India, Pakistan and Nepal are drawn in the same group for Asia Cup which is slated to be played in September this year. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are placed in the other group.
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