Jay Shah Yet To Decide On PCB's Invitation For Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony In Multan - Reports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently invited Asian Cricket Council president Jay Shah to attend the opening game of the Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet reached a decision on whether Jay Shah will travel to Pakistan for the event.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup will be played in a hybrid model format, with matches being played in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The continental tournament opening ceremony will take place before the match between Pakistan and Nepal at Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Wednesday, August 30.

Earlier, the Pakistan board invited the heads of cricket boards associated with the Asian Cricket Council to the opening match of the Asia Cup 2023. This move comes from the PCB as a surprise after the BCCI announced that Team India would not travel to Pakistan to participate in the upcoming continental event.

PCB Invited Jay Shah To Attend Opening Ceremony

According to a report by Times Now, a BCCI official has confirmed that Jay Shah received an invitation from the PCB for the opening ceremony of the Asia Cup in Pakistan. However, the Indian cricket board is still deliberating whether Shah will accept the invitation and travel to Multan in Pakistan on August 30.

“Invitation aya hai, dekhte hai. Meeting karenge is baare mein (Yes, there’s an invitation; we will see. There will be a meeting in his regard),” a BCCI official told Times Now.

Last month, the PCB organised a comprehensive opening ceremony in Lahore, intended to reveal the trophy and schedule for the Asia Cup. However, Jay Shah surprisingly unveiled it on Twitter, leading to PCB’s dissatisfaction with the ACC president’s gesture.

India Set To Face Pakistan On September 2

The six-team tournament is set to commence on August 30. Pakistan will host four matches on their home soil, while Sri Lanka will host the remaining nine matches, including the final. The multinational tournament is scheduled to take place across two venues in Pakistan – Multan and Lahore.

The six teams are divided into two groups. Group A consists of Nepal, India, and Pakistan, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The Rohit Sharma-led team will take on the Babar Azam-led team in their first match of the event in Pallekele on Saturday, September 2.

Also read: Asia Cup 2023: “Your Passion, Perseverance…” Jay Shah Posts Heartfelt Message For Virat Kohli’s 15 Years In International Cricket