There’s still uncertainty over the venue of Asia Cup 2023.
Pakistan have the hosting rights but BCCI officials have time and again reiterated that India will not travel and the event would be shifted to a neutral venue.
As of today, the Pakistan Cricket Board has not agreed to the demand, leading to a deadlock. On Monday (May 1), some media reports claimed that the Asia Cup could be cancelled and a parallel tournament, excluding Pakistan, could be played in Dubai in the same window.
Meanwhile, news agency PTI has reported that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has not sent out any such proposal to the member nations.
The PCB has proposed to host Asia Cup on a 'hybrid model', where Pakistan play their matches on the home soil while India play at a neutral venue – in all probability Dubai.
On the other hand, BCCI wants the entire tournament to be shifted to the UAE much like the 2018 and 2022 editions.
"There has been exchange of messages but no discussion or proposal to postpone the Asia Cup has been floated," an ACC Board member told PTI on the conditions of anonymity.
"Secondly, if the Asia Cup is cancelled, PCB will be intimated first. Nothing of that sort has happened till now. The ACC chairman (Shah) hasn't yet put anything on record.
"To postpone or cancel the event, the ACC will have to call an Executive Board meeting. The chairman (Shah) can call the meeting in seven days (virtual or physical). To date, there is no intimation about any such meeting," the source added.
As per the ACC source, the last official mail exchange between the PCB, ACC and BCCI was an invitation sent to the Indian team with assurance of highest degree of security.
"But, obviously, it is difficult for India to travel to Pakistan in the current sensitive political environment," the source said.
The other issue is the hefty broadcasting deal for the Asia Cup that includes at least two India-Pakistan games.
"We must remember the media rights and the agreement with Star Sports, who have paid millions for, at least, two Pakistan vs India matches in the Asia Cup," he said.
The source also confirmed that the BCCI got support from Sri Lanka Cricket when an informal discussion was held between the ACC members about hosting the Asia Cup 2023 at neutral venue.
"Look, if Asia Cup is cancelled after the ACC chairman summons an Executive Board meeting, the ramifications will not just be Pakistan's World Cup participation but also PCB's FTP calendar and bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan or Bangladesh. The situation is still very fluid," the source said.
(With PTI Inputs)