Asia Cup 2023: PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf Sends Invitation To Jay Shah For Asia Cup 2023 Inaugural Match In Pakistan - Reports

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Zaka Ashraf sends an invitation to Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to attend the inaugural match of the Asia Cup 2023 between Pakistan and Nepal which is going to be held at Multan International Cricket Stadium in Multan on Wednesday (August 30).

According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, during an ICC meeting in Durban, Zaka Ashraf, and Jay Shah held a meeting on the sidelines when the PCB chief asked the BCCI secretary to come over to Pakistan for the opening of the Asia Cup 2023.

It is being said that Jay Shah at first accepted the offer but later declined after he consulted with someone else. There is less chance that Jay Shah will travel to Pakistan since there is ongoing political turmoil between the two neighboring countries. However, the PCB has invited all the officials of the Asian Cricket Council.

Will Jay Shah-led BCCI travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023?

As stated by Cricket Pakistan, PCB knows that no one from the neighboring country will be traveling to Pakistan for the Asian Cup 2023 games.

The board also stated that Pakistan have never let politics come and interfere with sports. The cricket apex body of Pakistan also stated that they have sent BCCI an invitation to maintain goodwill between the two states, and the rest is up to the latter one if they want to come or not.

When Zaka Ashraf was asked if he would go to India for the upcoming ODI World Cup, PCB sources told Cricket Pakistan that they will discuss the situation with the Pakistan government and then will make a decision.

The tournament was supposed to be held only in Pakistan but since BCCI opposed to travel in the neighboring country, India will play their matches in Sri Lanka.

Six teams are going to participate in the forthcoming Asia Cup, and they are divided into two groups with three teams in each group. India, Nepal, and Pakistan are in Group A. Whereas, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are in Group B.

There will be six group stage matches from August 30th till September 5th. From September 6th till September 15th the Super Fours games will take place. The final match of the tournament will take place on September 17th and will be played at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.

The most awaited match of the tournament between India and Pakistan will be held on Saturday (September 2) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.