Earlier this month, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced that the Men's ODI Asia Cup 2023 will take place in September and India-Pakistan would be in the same group along with a Qualifying team.
However, there’s still uncertainty over the venue of Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan have the hosting rights but BCCI secretary Jay Shah last year said that India will not travel and the event would be shifted to a neutral venue.
In response, then PCB chief Ramiz Raja had said that alteration to the Asia Cup might see them opt out of the 50-over World Cup in India later this year.
Meanwhile, PCB’s newly-appointed chairman Najam Sethi confirmed this week that the ACC has accepted PCB’s request to hold an executive board meeting on February 4 in Bahrain to discuss the Asia Cup.
“Finally, we have a date now to meet ACC officials. I will attend ACC's meeting on February 4 in Bahrain. I am not sure about our stance for now; I am keeping it close to my chest and will decide at the meeting. But, I can assure you that it will be for the betterment of Pakistan cricket," Sethi said.
Amid the recent development, Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram has lauded Najam Sethi’s stance while taking a dig at his predecessor.
"Najam Sethi gave a very sensible answer. It all depends on approval from both governments. You have to talk properly [with boards]. This is not gully cricket, that if you don't come, we also will not go to your country. I don't understand who are these kids, who come and run cricket in Pakistan," Akram was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan Cricket Board underwent a major administrative overhaul in December 2022, with Najam Sethi taking charge as chairman of the managing committee, replacing Ramiz Raja.
Commenting on Ramiz’s sacking, Wasim Akram said: "He came for six days, now he is back to his original place. Najam Sethi has experience. I think it is a wrong concept, that cricketers should be the chairman of PCB. It is an administrative job, so you need to have proper communication with all the boards. Najam Sethi is the right man for the job. I don't care if people get angry."
