Sethi’s feedback are on comparable strains as his predecessor Ramiz Raja, who had reiterated that Pakistan may boycott the 50-over World Cup in India this yr if the Asia Cup problem between the 2 cricket boards wasn’t resolved.
Pakistan was initially allotted the Asia Cup in September this yr, however Shah, who’s the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, had stated in October final yr that the Indian crew won’t tour Pakistan for the continental match because of diplomatic tensions.
The ACC is anticipated to shift the Asia Cup from Pakistan and resolve on the alternate venue in March.
However, a well-informed supply within the PCB advised PTI that through the ACC govt board assembly held in Bahrain on Saturday, Sethi made Pakistan’s stance on the Asia Cup very clear to Shah that his nation “will not forgo the hosting rights of either the Asia Cup or the Champions Trophy in 2025”.
“Sethi has made his stance very clear (to Shah) and he went to Bahrain after meeting Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif last Tuesday. Apparently, he has discussed the matter with the PM before going to Bahrain,” the supply stated.
“Sethi was clear that the Asia Cup is a multi-team event and the Pakistan government is willing to give security assurances to the Indian team. So, there is no reason for the BCCI to not send its team to Pakistan in September this year,” the source added.
“Sethi additionally made it clear that if the BCCI can not get clearance from its authorities for the Asia Cup, Pakistan will even not journey to India for the (ODI) World Cup.”
The source added that Sethi told the meeting in Bahrain that if India didn’t come to Pakistan, then both countries could play their matches in the two multi-team events at offshore venues.
The source rubbished reports that other ACC member countries, including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, had said they would have to get government clearances to play the Asia Cup in Pakistan.
“No such dialogue befell. All the discussions centred round India-Pakistan cricket ties and the Asia Cup and World Cup.”
The source said that after Sethi’s tough stance, it was decided the ACC will meet again in March and the matter will be taken forward.
“Sethi advised the ACC members that earlier than the following assembly, the BCCI ought to converse to its authorities and make its stance clear on whether or not it is going to ship its crew for the Asia Cup, in order that Pakistan can even focus on with the ICC about enjoying its World Cup matches in India,” the supply stated.
The supply added that Sethi requested the ACC members that when Pakistan was chosen because the host for the Asia Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, why did not the BCCI representatives elevate their objection then.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com