Asia Cup 2023: Broadcast Deal In Major Jeopardy If India Refuse To Face Pakistan In The Tournament - Reports

If a resolution is not reached soon regarding the hosting of the Asia Cup 2023 due to the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, a lucrative media rights deal between the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the broadcaster may be at risk, as per TOI.

The tournament, which has been assigned to Pakistan, could potentially lose its appeal if Team India decide not to participate and demand that the event be relocated to either the UAE or Sri Lanka instead. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet agreed to this request, resulting in a stalemate. 

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As per the terms of the long-term agreement between the ACC and the broadcaster, it is necessary for Pakistan and India to face each other at least twice or thrice in the regional multi-team competition. If India were to withdraw from the tournament in Pakistan, the broadcaster could suffer significant financial losses due to the absence of exciting India-Pakistan matches.

Asia Cup 2023: Clouds Of Uncertainty Over India Vs Pakistan Clash

There are proposals that suggest allowing other participating nations to play in Pakistan while moving the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match to the UAE. Additionally, if India and Pakistan advance to the final, the summit clash could take place in the UAE. 

However, a worst-case scenario could involve a potential retaliation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) if BCCI decides not to send its team to Pakistan. The PCB may consider not participating in the Asia Cup or declining to travel to India for the World Cup later this year. 

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A PCB official mentioned that the participating nations’ agreement for the Asia Cup includes a force majeure clause that permits the relocation of the tournament, but this is contingent on the host country’s decision.

“It is not possible to have the Asia Cup without Pakistan and India matches. This is the understanding on which the agreement is based,” the source told TOI. “Without Pakistan and India matches, the broadcasting agreement goes awry,” he warned.

The upcoming 50-over World Cup, set to take place in October-November of this year, has elevated the importance of the Asia Cup. This is because all the continental teams participating in the ICC event would be eager to compete in the Asia Cup prior to the major tournament.

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