PCB Expresses ‘Surprise And Disappointment’ Over Jay Shah’s Statement Of Shifting Asia Cup 2023 Outside Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released an official statement written to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over ACC President and BCCI secretary Jay Shah stating that the Asia Cup 2023 will have to be moved from Pakistan to a neutral venue as India will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament next year.

On Tuesday, ACC president Jay Shah, who got a second term as BCCI secretary, said after the 91^st AGM meeting in Mumbai, that India will not be traveling to Pakistan will host the Asia Cup 2023, and the tournament will have to be shifted to a neutral venue as a result. The same happened in 2018 as well, when the 50-over Asia Cup, which was to be played in India, had to be shifted to UAE after Pakistan refused to cross the border into India and play the tournament.

The PCB expressed concerns about the issue of not sending the Indian team to Pakistan and condemned the statement of the BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

“The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment of yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The comments were made without any discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications.

After having presided over the ACC meeting during which Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with an overwhelming support and response from the ACC Board Members, Mr Shah’s statement of shifting of the ACC Asia Cup has clearly been made unilaterally.

“This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed in September 1983 – a united Asian cricket body to safeguard the interests of the its Members and organise, develop, and promote the game of cricket in Asia,” PCB said in a letter they posted on social media.

Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup tournament only once in 2008, which was also the last time India travelled to Pakistan to play cricket.

PCB Threatens Not Visiting India For The ICC World Cup 2023 And Other Future ICC Events As Well

Writing further in the statement, the PCB requested the ACC to call an emergency meeting in light of the current situation. It also mentioned that PCB might have to think of pulling out of the Asian Cricket Council and also not travel to India for the ICC World Cup which is to be hosted in 2023, citing reciprocal consequences if India doesn’t travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023.

“The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities, and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.

The PCB has to date not received any official communication or clarification from the ACC on the statement of the ACC President. As such, the PCB has now requested the Asian Cricket Council to convene an emergency meeting of its Board as soon as practically possible to discuss this important and sensitive matter,” the statement further read.

PCB responds to ACC President's statement

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— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 19, 2022

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