BCCI Clarifies: No Plans For Official Visit To Pakistan During Asia Cup 2023
New Delhi, 12th July 2023: Contrary to false reports circulating in the Pakistani media, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has clarified that he will not be visiting Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2023, either before or after the event. Shah stated, “I have not agreed to anything. This is simply a case of miscommunication, possibly intentional or mischievous. I will not be making any visit.” His comments were made in an interview with News18 CricketNext on Wednesday morning. Shah and PCB chief Zaka Ashraf did meet during the ongoing ICC meet in Durban to discuss the Asia Cup and 50-over World Cup; however, the claim that Ashraf accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup fixtures is completely untrue.
Arun Dhumal, the CEC representative of BCCI at ICC, has also refuted the notion that Shah or any other BCCI official will be travelling to Pakistan. Dhumal stated, “Regardless of the reports, they are completely false,” in an interview with News18 CricketNext. Despite Shah’s strong denial of the visit reports, the ‘hybrid arrangement’ for the Asia Cup tournament will remain in place. Pakistan will host four games, while Sri Lanka will host nine games, including all knockouts and the final. This arrangement was initially agreed upon by all parties, including the PCB.
A reliable source questioned the validity of the reports and wondered why any Indian official would visit Pakistan when all of India’s games, including potential knockouts, will be played in Sri Lanka. The source suggested the possibility of mischief behind the reports. The meeting between Shah and Ashraf primarily revolved around discussions regarding the Asia Cup and the World Cup to be held in India later this year. However, no agreement was reached for Shah’s visit to Pakistan. The source further emphasized that the hybrid arrangement for the Asia Cup, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka hosting matches as planned, will continue due to Pakistan’s insistence on it.
Apart from the Asia Cup, the two officials also discussed the upcoming World Cup in India, and Pakistan will indeed participate in the 50-over marquee event as planned. The World Cup schedule indicates that Pakistan will play their matches in Ahmedabad, and there are no changes expected in that itinerary. The PCB has given its approval to the ICC regarding the 50-over World Cup, and according to BCCI officials, there is no additional information to be added on this matter.
