Pakistan, on Tuesday, threatened to pull out of next year's 50-over World Cup in India, reacting strongly to BCCI secretary Jay Shah's statement that they would prefer to play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue. (More Cricket News) Show Pakistan is scheduled to host the next edition of Asia Cup next year as per Asian Cricket Council's executive board's decision. Incidentally Shah is the president of Asian Cricket Council. After the BCCI AGM in Mumbai on Tuesday, Shah in an informal gathering of reporters stated that "India will play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue." Sources close to Pakistan Cricket Board (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 2023 ICC World Cup in India. "The PCB is now prepared to take hard decisions and play hard ball 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 PCB source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. India does play Pakistan at global or continental events but haven't travelled to the neighbouring country since 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. "The PCB officials are surprised at the timing of Jay Shah's statement because there is still nearly a year to go before the Asia Cup is held in Pakistan in September 2023," one insider said. He said the PCB had been aware that the issue of India travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup was on the BCCI AGM but didn't expect any announcement or statements on this issue at this time. "The PCB is wondering in what capacity has Jay Shah given the statement that the ACC will look to relocate the Asia Cup to UAE out of Pakistan because the hosting rights were awarded by the executive board of the ACC not the President," the PCB source said. PCB could pull out of ACC membership 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.  During the 91st annual general meeting, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that India will not travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup. According to the Future Tours Program (FTP), Pakistan won the hosting rights of the 2023 Asia Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. Opposed to the earlier reports that the BCCI is open to the team travelling to Pakistan, the apex board has taken a U-turn on their earlier stance. Further, Jay Shah, president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said, “We have decided not to travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, and the tournament will take place at a neutral venue.” It means that the ACC has snatched the hosting rights from Pakistan and will look for a neutral venue in the coming days. The last time India visited Pakistan was during the 2008 Asia Cup, which also happened to be the last major tournament hosted by Pakistan. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja is yet to issue an official statement. Post navigationWill India participate in Asia Cup 2023?The PCB have issued a strongly worded statement in response to the BCCI confirming that India will not tour Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup.
Why India not play with Pakistan?India has suspended cricketing ties with Pakistan several times following terrorist attacks or other hostilities.
Why Asia Cup is not held in India?Sri Lanka was the host for the second edition in 1986. India pulled out of the tournament due to soured cricketing relations with Sri Lanka after a controversial series in Sri Lanka the previous year.
Is there any Asia Cup in 2023?The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Jay Shah confirmed on Tuesday that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held at a neutral venue. Minutes after the BCCI Annual General Meeting, Shah, who is the Board secretary, said, "It is my decision that the 2023 Asia Cup will be held at a neutral venue."
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