Asia Cup 2023: BCCI, PCB expected to face off over venue change as ACC meeting proposed in Bahrain on February 4
Anger could flare in Bahrain when the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meets in Bahrain on February 4. The ACC meeting will be chaired by chairman Jai Shah and other members of the council including Pakistan Cricket Board chief Jai Shah. A Cricbuzz report states that the BCCI and PCB will come face-to-face in a meeting regarding the change in the venue of the Asia Cup 2023. The hosting rights of Asia Cup 2023 were earlier awarded to Pakistan by the ACC. However, Jay Shah, who is also the BCCI secretary, while speaking to the Indian media said that Indian players cannot travel to Pakistan due to political reasons and the tournament will have to be shifted to a neutral venue.
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Subsequently, former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja made it clear through a statement that if India did not fly to Pakistan, the Men in Green would not turn up for the ODI World Cup in October. The Asia Cup is set to be held in the 50-over format this year as it is an ODI World Cup year and the top Asian sides can prepare well for the big tournament. Last year, the Asia Cup was a T20 event in the T20 World Cup cycle.
ACC President Shri @JayShah announces cricket calendar & route structure for 2023 & 2024.
Exciting times ahead for Asian cricket! https://t.co/IEOOlKKoaP — AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) January 5, 2023
The change of venue could be a bone of contention between the BCCI and the PCB as the current PCB boss Najam Sethi has the same stand as Raja. Sethi had targeted Jai Shah while announcing the program of the Council. Sethi was upset that even when the PCB was hosting the Asia Cup, he was not informed about the schedule and calendar.
@ACCMedia1 Thank you @JayShah for unilaterally presenting the structure and calendar 2023-24 especially related to Asia Cup 2023 for which Pakistan is the event host. While you are at it, you can also check out our PSL 2023 structure and calendar “Prompt response would be appreciated,” A Sethi had said in a social media post.
Shah has maintained the stand that India cannot travel to Pakistan to play cricket matches without the approval of the Indian government. Also, the PCB is adamant on hosting the tournament as it will help in making the return of international cricket in the country a regular affair in their case. However, as per reports, the PCB does not have the support of other members in the matter.