The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written an official statement to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), after president and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, on Tuesday, said that the Asia Cup 2023 which is to be hosted by Pakistan will be moved to a neutral venue.
This was in addition to Jay Shah confirming that India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the said tournament while talking to the press after the BCCI AGM meet in Mumbai. The PCB expressed concerns about the issue of not sending the Indian team to Pakistan and condemned the statement of the BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
“The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment of yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The comments were made without any discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications.
After having presided over the ACC meeting during which Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with overwhelming support and response from the ACC Board Members, Mr Shah’s statement of shifting of the ACC Asia Cup has clearly been made unilaterally. This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed in September 1983 – a united Asian cricket body to safeguard the interests of the its Members and organise, develop, and promote the game of cricket in Asia,” PCB said in a letter they posted on social media.
The PCB also requested the ACC to call an emergency meeting in light of the current situation. PCB called an emergency meeting following the statement of Shah and considered various options, including separation from the ACC and withdrawal from the ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place in India 2023.
“The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.
The PCB has to date not received any official communication or clarification from the ACC on the statement of the ACC President. As such, the PCB has now requested the Asian Cricket Council to convene an emergency meeting of its Board as soon as practically possible to discuss this important and sensitive matter,” the statement further read.
