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Wasim Akram Opines Jay Shah Should’ve At Least Called PCB Chief
By CricShots - Oct 21, 2022 2:57 pm
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BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s statement about India’s visit to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup has resulted in quite a stir in the neighboring cricket fraternity. After the conclusion of the board’s 91st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday in Mumbai, Shah made a statement that the next edition of the Asia Cup 2023 will be taking place at a neutral venue. He added that the team’s travel to Pakistan is completely a matter to be looked after by the Indian government.

india pakistan
India and Pakistan teams

As per the Future Tours Programme (FTP), Pakistan is scheduled to host the next edition of the tournament while India will be hosting the one-day world cup in 2023. After Shah’s statement, Pakistan is considering pulling out from the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan skipper, Wasim Akram has condemned Jay Shah’s statement, saying that India can’t dictate their way of playing cricket. During a discussion on Pakistan’s A Sports, Akram was of the opinion that instead of making a blunt remark, Shah should have contacted PCB chairman Ramiz Raja personally and should have discussed the matter further.

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During a conversation with A Sports, Wasim Akram said, “It was a brilliant statement from our cricket board. India can’t dictate how Pakistan play their cricket. Pakistan have started hosting teams after 10-15 years now. I’m an ex-cricketer, and sportsperson, I don’t know what’s happening on the political front. But communication is important.”

Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram

He further added, “If Jay Shah had to say something, he should have called the PCB chairman on phone, an Asian Cricket Council meeting should’ve been there). Pakistan were awarded the Asia Cup. That’s not fair.”

According to the news agency PTI, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman (PCB) Ramiz Raja is thinking of withdrawing the men’s team from the ODI World Cup in light of the remarks made by Shah who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

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Not just Akram but several other former cricketers have not welcomed what Shah told the media. Former allrounder Mudassar Nazar has also asked PCB to boycott all forms of cricket engagement with India. The likes of Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, and Younis Khan had already expressed their disappointment.