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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held its 91st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday (18 October). In the same meeting, it was decided that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the sixteenth edition of the Asia Cup. BCCI Secretary confirmed the news as he said that the continental tournament will be held at a neutral venue. 

"We will have Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue. It's the government which decides over the permission of the team visiting Pakistan so we won't comment on that but for the 2023 Asia Cup it's decided that the tournament will be held at some neutral venue," Jay Shah told reporters after the AGM. 

Now, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a statement expressing their disappointment over the remark. The PCB has said that the board is surprised and disappointment at the comments made by Jay Shah. It also said that the comment was made without any consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host). 

The PCB then said that this statement can split the Asian and international cricketing communities and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle. The Pakistani cricket board said that they have written to the ACC demanding an emergency meeting on this matter. 

“The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The comments were made without any discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications,” said PCB in its statement. 

“After having presided over the ACC meeting during which Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with an overwhelming support and response from the ACC Board Members, Mr Shah’s statement of shifting of the ACC Asia Cup has clearly been made unilaterally. This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed in September 1983 – a united Asian cricket body to safeguard the interests of its Members and organise, develop, and promote the game of cricket in Asia."

“The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle", it further read.

“The PCB has to date not received any official communication from the ACC on the statement of the ACC President. As such, the PCB has written to the Asian Cricket Council to convene an emergency meeting of its Board as soon as practically possible on this important and sensitive matter."

Notably, India will host the 2023 ODI World Cup. Meanwhile, Pakistan has the hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy.