"BCCI Made A Childish Statement": Shahid Afridi Criticizes Jay Shah's Remarks On India-Pakistan Travel Issues

Shahid Afridi called Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, and the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who made the comment, “childish,” adding that the PCB has the right to leave the council if India does not visit Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup.

Jay Shah announced a little over a week ago that the Asia Cup will be moved out of Pakistan and played in a neutral location since India won’t be able to travel there.

Renowned former cricketers in Pakistan harshly criticized the remarks. If the team captained by Rohit Sharma doesn’t go to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the PCB has actually threatened to pull out of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

Afridi claimed that the comment was made hastily. It was made worse because it occurred a few days before India’s last-ball victory over Pakistan in their T20 World Cup encounter in Melbourne, according to Afridi.

“The BCCI issued a childish statement. They should’ve taken their time. There was a World Cup match coming up, so there was no need for such a statement before that. Cricket has always united India and Pakistan, bringing the two countries closer together” Shahid Afridi remarked.

“I recall how the Indian team was received in Pakistan in 2003-04, and how warmly we were received when we returned to India. The more India and Pakistan play together, the stronger their relationship will be” Afridi said on ABP News.

“ICC has a big role to play here”: Shahid Afridi

Afridi stated that if Pakistan’s demands are not met, the country should consider withdrawing from the ACC.

“ICC has a big role to play here. If India doesn’t come to play Asia Cup then Pakistan has the option of pulling out of ACC,” he added.

India and Pakistan presently mainly participate in ICC and Asia Cup competitions. When Pakistan visited India for a three-match ODI series in 2012–13, it marked the end of their most recent bilateral series.

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