Yeah, we are contemplating that we would not fly to India for World Cup matches if the BCCI does not send its team to Pakistan for Asia Cup, a PCB source told ANI. We want Sri Lanka or Bangladesh to host our matches; we want to play there, not in India.
According to a source, Pakistan would not travel to India for the World Cup, preferring to have their matches hosted by Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. According to a reliable source, India will play its Asia Cup matches at a neutral location rather than in Pakistan. If India reaches the final against Pakistan, it will also compete in a neutral location.
It was also previously suggested that the Pakistan squad might play its ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 matches in Bangladesh rather than India, the initial host of the event, according to ESPNCricinfo.
There have been discussions of moving Pakistan’s games to a neutral venue, and Bangladesh has been recommended as the location owing to its proximity to India.
As a remedy, a hybrid approach for this year’s Asia Cup is being considered. This year’s Asia Cup is being hosted by Pakistan, however India will most likely play their matches at a neutral location.
The inspiration struck on the eve of a board meeting in Dubai. Members of the two Boards discussed India’s participation in the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s involvement in the next 50-over World Cup.
Though simply suggested as a possiblity, and no formal conversations have taken place on the issue, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stated that India’s absence from the Asia Cup might have an influence on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will also be held in Pakistan.
The six-nation Asia Cup, which will be contested in a 50-over format in early September this year, has combined India and Pakistan with a qualifier. The other group includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
The PCB was taken off guard in October when Jay Shah announced that the 2023 Asia Cup will be hosted in a neutral site. The PCB, then led by Ramiz Raja, quickly reacted that if the competition was moved outside of Pakistan, Pakistan will withdraw.
Last year, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head Jay Shah indicated that India will not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup owing to security concerns, and that the event will be held at a neutral location to be determined in the second round of the ACC Executive Board meeting.
