IND vs PAK: Pakistan Should Attend The 2023 World Cup At A Neutral Location: Saeed Anwar Criticises BCCI For Its Asia Cup Decision

On Tuesday, October 18, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jay Shah, delivered a major bombshell by saying that India will not be visiting Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup.

The tournament is being hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), although according to Shah, a neutral location would be used. 

Saeed Anwar Slams BCCI’s Decision To Host Asia Cup At Neutral Venue

“The Asia Cup 2023 will be held at a neutral venue. I am saying this as ACC President. We [India] can’t go there [to Pakistan], they can’t come here. In the past also, Asia Cup has been played at a neutral venue,” said Shah to the media after BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai. 

The comment was not well received in Pakistan. Former Pakistan batter Saeed Anwar criticised the BCCI and demanded that the location of the 2023 ODI World Cup be changed to a neutral site. The quadrennial event will be held in India during October and November, next year.

“When all international teams and international cricketers come to Pakistan for @OfficialPSL, what is @BCCI’s problem? If BCCI is willing to go to a neutral venue, then @TheRealPCB should also be willing to go to a neutral venue for the WC in India next year. #PAKvIND #Cricket,” Anwar tweeted. 

When all international teams and international cricketers come to Pakistan for @OfficialPSL, what is @BCCI's problem. If BCCI is willing to go to a neutral venue, then @TheRealPCB should also be willing to go to a neutral venue for the WC in India next year.#PAKvIND #Cricket

— Saeed Anwar (@ImSaeedAnwar) October 18, 2022

No Multi-nation Event In Pakistan Since 2008

Since 2008, when Pakistan last hosted a multi-nation event, they have not hosted the Asia Cup. Interestingly, that was also the last time the Indian cricket team played on Pakistani soil because bilateral cricket had been suspended due to tense political ties between the two nations in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. 

India’s most recent bilateral visit to Pakistan included 3 Tests and 5 ODIs. In 2025, Pakistan will also serve as the ICC Champions Trophy host nation.

Since the 1996 World Cup, the 1992 World champions have not hosted an ICC tournament. Following the terrorist assault on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore during the 2009 series, Pakistan lost its hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup along with India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. 

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