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Ever since BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that Team India will not travel to Pakistan to participate in Asia Cup 2023 and that the continental tournament will move to a neutral venue, the tension between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan (PCB) has heightened.
In response to Jay Shah’s comment, PCB Chief Ramiz Raja took an aggressive mode as he revealed that Pakistan’s national side would also not tour India for the ODI World Cup in that case. While the representatives of the BCCI have remained tight-lipped over the issue, the PCB chairman keeps reiterating his stand.
In a fresh development, Ramiz Raja has now claimed that he will not let anyone move to Asia Cup 2023 from Pakistan, instead will pull out of the continental tournament. Speaking at the side-lines of Pakistan vs England, Test series opener, PCB Chief Ramiz Raja said, “Asian Cricket Council gave us the right to host the Asia Cup 2023, and I understand BCCI has its political limitations due to which they have decided not to tour Pakistan. But, taking the tournament away from us and moving it to a neutral venue is not going to happen.”
"Can Pakistan host Asia Cup minus India," PCB chief said, claiming it can happen for sure. “Why not? We are available as a host. We are not asking for something which was not given to us,” Raja stated.
Meanwhile, another reporter put up yet another situation: What if Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also decide not to travel to Pakistan? Former Pakistan cricketer claimed that in that case, Pakistan would pull out of the continental tournament. “If they don’t want to come, so be it, but if Asia Cup goes out, we will pull out,” Raja said.
Pakistan had a terrific Asia Cup 2022 campaign as Babar Azam & Co. reached the finals of the continental tournament but lost the summit clash to Sri Lanka. They also managed to reach the finals of the T20 World Cup 2022 and will want to clinch the trophy in the Asia Cup next year. However, the tournament scheduled next year will be played in the ODI format.