IND vs PAK: "Kam Se Kam Hamaare Chairman Ko Phone Karte" - Wasim Akram Responds To Jay Shah's Asia Cup Remark

Ahead of the most anticipated India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President, Jay Shah, said that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. The Asia Cup will be hosted by Pakistan in 2023 and would like to compete at a neutral venue.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) responded strongly and threatened to boycott the 2023 ODI World Cup to be held in India. Former Pakistan cricketers have also reacted strongly to Jay Shah’s comments, and ex-skipper Wasim Akram is one of them.

India Cannot Dictate On How Pakistan Play Their Cricket – Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has condemned Jay Shah’s statement and stated that India cannot dictate to Pakistan on how to play cricket. He further stated that Shah should have personally contacted PCB chairman Ramiz Raja if there were any reservations.

“India cannot dictate on how Pakistan play their cricket. For 10-15 years, much cricket did not take place in Pakistan and now teams have finally started touring Pakistan. I am all for their difference, I am an ex-cricketer and sportsperson, I don’t know whats happening on the political front. But people to people contact is very important,” Akram told A Sports.

“If you wanted to say something like this Mr Jay Shah, then you should have atleast called our chairman and you should have called for a meeting of the Asian Council. You could have given your point of view and there could have been a discussion on it. You cannot just stand up and say we are not travelling to Pakistan,” he added.

“The hosting rights of the Asia Cup were awarded to Pakistan, the entire council awarded the rights. It is just not fair,” he concluded.

The ACC awarded the hosting rights to India. However, political and economic reasons led to the tournament being moved from India to the UAE in 2018. Sri Lanka’s economic and political crisis also forced the tournament to be moved from the island nation to Abu Dhabi in 2022.

Also read: IND vs PAK: “I Feel Very Very Special Today At The Hayden Household To Welcome You All” – Matthew Hayden Says After Hosting Dinner For Pakistan Cricket Team At His Home