In a big setback for Pakistan, the India Cricket Board has now gained support from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to host the Asia Cup 2023, eliminating the need for India to travel to Pakistan. According to recent reports, the two subcontinental countries have offered their help to India.
There is a lot of conjecture about where the Asia Cup 2023 will be held. Although Pakistan is the official host, the subject of India travelling to the neighbouring country persists. PCB president Najam Sethi has already stated that if India does not come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Pakistan’s prospects of playing the ODI World Cup in India are slim.
“In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to compete in the Asia Cup, chances are there that the Pakistan government would not allow the Men in Green to cross the borders for their World Cup participation. In that case, cricket will be the ultimate sufferer,” Sethi said.
“There should be a middle way to solve problems that surely threaten the smooth hosting of ICC and ACC events. In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the government will not allow us to travel to India to figure in the World Cup matches,” he added.
Najam Sethi travels to Dubai to meet with officials
Meanwhile, rumours suggest that Pakistan will only visit India for the ODI World Cup provided the Indian Cricket Board guarantees that the team will visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The World event is set to take place in India in October-November later this year.
In the meantime, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi has gone to Dubai to meet with officials from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Apex Cricket Council. According to a PTI report, Sethi is set to ask Jay Shah for a written commitment that the Indian squad will participate in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan before committing to the forthcoming ODI World Cup 2023 in India.
