In an interview with Reuters, the head of Pakistan’s cricket board, Najam Sethi, stated that if Pakistan were to lose the rights to host the Asia Cup, there is a “very real possibility” that Pakistan will skip the World Cup that would be held in India this year.
Because to the deteriorating political climate between India and Pakistan during the past decade, bilateral cricket matches between the two neighboring nations no longer take place; instead, India and Pakistan only compete against each other in multi-team tournaments held at neutral locations.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered to allow India play their matches in the United Arab Emirates in what has been labelled a “hybrid model” in response to India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in September due to safety concerns. India has said that they would not be attending the tournament in Pakistan.
Sethi added that India wants the entire event to be shifted out of Pakistan, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet provided an official response to the idea.
He went on to say that this might have significant repercussions for the 50-overs World Cup that will be held in India this year as well as the Champions Trophy that will be held in Pakistan in 2025.
During a Zoom interview, he stated that “they want all of the matches to be in a neutral venue.”
“In order for us to move on without encountering any difficulties, BCCI ought to make a decision that is sound and reasonable.
“India should not even be considering the possibility of a scenario in which we end up boycotting both the Asia Cup and the World Cup, and then India ends up boycotting the Champions Trophy.”
That is going to create a major mess.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have also spoken out against playing in the UAE, citing the heat and concerns with logistics. This has increased talk in the local media that the Asian Cricket Council may try to transfer the entire competition outside of Pakistan. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have cited the heat and issues with logistics.
Sethi referred to the situation as “not acceptable” and said that Pakistan would consider skipping the World Cup if the situation continued.
He continued by saying, “Of course, that is a very real possibility.”
Sethi claimed that Pakistan would want reciprocal terms for their national team in the World Cup if India were to agree to the hybrid format for the Asia Cup. The World Cup will take place in October and November.
“We also have security concerns for our team in India,” he stated. Therefore, Pakistan should be allowed to play its matches in Dhaka, Mirpur, the United Arab Emirates, or Sri Lanka.
This will be the solution moving ahead, till such time as India is willing to play Pakistan in a bilateral setting both inside and outside of Pakistan.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah was not immediately available for comment; nevertheless, neither the Indian board nor the International Cricket Council (ICC) have stated that they are even contemplating the possibility of holding any World Cup matches in countries other than India.
Sethi stated that Pakistan is a top cricketing nation that should not be disregarded and that they would have to talk to the ICC about the situation with the Asia Cup. Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992.
“The ICC should step in but my sense is that India would not like the ICC to step in, especially during the Asia Cup,” he added. “My sense is that India would not like the ICC to step in.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) could not be reached for comment right away.
Since the attack in 2009 on the Sri Lankan team bus that took place in Lahore, Pakistan has been deprived of international cricket and has had to do significant effort in order to encourage top teams to continue touring the country during the past couple of years.
“We worked so hard to bring international cricket back to Pakistan,” Sethi added. “We were so proud when it finally happened.”
“During the past five years, Pakistan has welcomed delegations from every major country. You name them, each and every one of them has been there. They were all appreciative of the safety precautions taken. That won’t be an issue going forward.”
Sethi accused the BCCI’s “stubbornness” for the failure to transform it into the greatest rivalry in cricket, citing the buzz that surrounds each meeting between India and Pakistan. He cited the hype surrounding any meeting between India and Pakistan.
The India against Pakistan match is the most anticipated match of the day. It is more important than England playing Australia, and it is more important than India playing Australia. How can we possibly put that at risk by being so obstinate? he stated.
“The Indian team that plays bridge has been to Pakistan; the Indian team that plays kabaddi has been to Pakistan; the Indian team that plays baseball has been to Pakistan…
“So, what exactly is going on here? Why is it that the Indian cricket team is prohibited from visiting Pakistan?