Former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan have shared disappointment after BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s statement on playing the Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue. After BCCI’s 91st Annual General Meeting, Shah, who is also serving as the chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said that next year’s continental tournament would be played at a neutral venue. The Asia Cup 2023 was originally scheduled to be played in Pakistan.
As per the quotes in ANI, Jay Shah said, “We will have Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue. It is the government which decides over the permission of our team visiting Pakistan so we won’t comment on that but for the 2023 Asia Cup, it is decided that the tournament will be held at a neutral venue.”
Kamran Akmal and Younis, while speaking on ARY News, shared their views and said Pakistan should host the Asia Cup 2023 even if India declined to tour.
ALSO READ: Sunil Gavaskar Feels India Can’t Complain For Preparation Ahead Of T20 World Cup
“I believe Jay Shah’s statement was unexpected, and since he attended the Pakistan-India game during this year’s Asia Cup, he should reserve politics for his opposition and avoid dragging it into sports,” Kamran Akmal said. “Asia Cup should only be hosted in Pakistan and if that does not happen then Pakistan should not play against India at any level, be it ICC events’ matches, Asia Cup matches, or even their match on October 23.”
Meanwhile, Younis said: “If they [BCCI] decide to stick with their decision then it should not matter to us if the Indian team does not participate in Asia Cup and we should consider not travelling to India for the ODI World Cup the following year, nor we should agree to host Asia Cup at a neutral venue.”
ALSO READ: Rishabh Pant recalls his ‘special shot’ against Hasan Ali
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on October 19 said that Jay Shah mad the announcement without having any discussion or consultation with the ACC board or hosts Pakistan. PCB further highlighted that such a statement could lead to Pakistan pulling out of the 2023 World Cup in India and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.
