Reports have suggested that Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi will be trying to hold talks with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman and BCCI secretary Jay Shah about Pakistan hosting the Asia Cup this year if Shah attends the opening ceremony of the International League T20 (ILT20) on Thursday.
Shah, in his capacity as ACC chairman, had stated last year that Asia Cup will be shifted out of Pakistan and the erstwhile PCB chief Ramiz Raja had then issued a counter-threat that his country will pull out of World Cup in India.
"Najam will be using this opportunity to work on relations with the ACC members and ensure that the Asia Cup is held as scheduled in Pakistan in September this year. Basically, Najam is also going as he has been conveyed that there is a strong possibility of BCCI boss Jay Shah also being in attendance," a PCB source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The Emirates Cricket Board has invited the head of all big cricket boards and Sethi will be in attendance during the opening day where he wants to speak to his other ACC colleagues in order to garner support for Pakistan retaining its hosting rights for the ODI Asia Cup in September.
However, there has been no confirmation from BCCI whether Shah or any other member will attend the opening ceremony.
Also, the question remains if Jay Shah attends the ceremony in Dubai, would he like to entertain the PCB chairman for an informal chat on the sidelines?
Most recently, Najam Sethi had made a sarcastic dig at Shah after he as ACC chairman had released the two-year itinerary, which the PCB chief alleged was not discussed with his board. The ACC had strongly come out in its president's defense as they released a press statement that clarified that PCB didn't get back with its preferred recommendations.
"Sethi believes that there is a need for the PCB to have better relations with the ACC members whose support is necessary if the Asia Cup is to be held in Pakistan. Having been a former ACC chairman, Najam will be giving out assurances to all members that Pakistan is completely safe and secure to host the regional event and all teams including India must send their teams," the source added.
The source also said that former PCB chief Ramiz Raja had overdone his threats to ACC and the BCCI and boycotting the World Cup in India and instead PCB should first ensure it is able to host the Asia Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
"If Shah does come to Dubai, it will also allow Sethi to meet him in person or other BCCI officials on the sidelines and discuss the issue of India sending its team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup,” the source said.
Sethi is also looking to meet the ICC officials at the Dubai headquarters to discuss the 2025 Champions Trophy hosting rights and the World Cup in India.
(PTI inputs)
