A report in Pakistan media claimed that if PCB won’t comply with play the Asia Cup at a impartial venue, the event may very well be taken away from the nation.
The internet hosting rights of the 2023 Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in ODI format, are with the Pakistan Cricket Board however BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who can be the ACC chairman, has made it clear that the Indian cricket staff won’t journey to Pakistan.
The PCB has proposed to host Asia Cup on a ‘hybrid mannequin’, the place Pakistan play their matches on the house soil, whereas India play at a impartial venue — in all probability Dubai.
It is known that the BCCI desires all the event to be shifted to the UAE — which has three grounds in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi — very similar to the 2018 and 2022 editions when India and Sri Lanka have been the event hosts.
“There has been exchange of messages but no discussion or proposal to postpone the Asia Cup has been floated,” an ACC Board member, aware of discussions on the sidelines of an ICC meet in Dubai, instructed PTI on the situations of anonymity.
“Secondly, if the Asia Cup is cancelled, PCB will be intimated first. Nothing of that sort has happened till now. The ACC chairman (Shah) hasn’t yet put anything on record.
“To postpone or cancel the occasion, the ACC must name an Executive Board assembly. The chairman (Shah) can name the assembly in seven days (digital or bodily). To date, there isn’t any intimation about any such assembly,” the source added.
The ACC source said that, to the best of his knowledge, the last official mail exchange between the PCB, ACC and BCCI was an invitation sent to the Indian team with assurance of highest degree of security and best hospitality.
“But, clearly, it’s troublesome for India to journey to Pakistan within the present delicate political setting,” he agreed.
The other issue is the amount of money the official broadcaster has committed on telecast deals, that includes at least two assured India-Pakistan games. If the two teams make the final, the third game would be a bonanza.
“We should keep in mind the media rights and the settlement with Star Sports, who’ve paid thousands and thousands for, no less than, two Pakistan vs India matches within the Asia Cup,” he said.
It is learnt that when the informal discussion was held between the ACC members about hosting the tournament at a neutral venue, the source confirmed that BCCI did get support from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
“Look, if the Asia Cup is cancelled after the ACC chairman summons an Executive Board assembly, the ramifications won’t simply be Pakistan’s World Cup participation but additionally PCB’s FTP calendar and bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan or Bangladesh.
“The situation is still very fluid,” the supply mentioned.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com