Pakistan May Skip World Cup In India: Warns PCB

Web Desk — Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) warns the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that Pakistan may skip the World Cup in India next year. The PCB warning came after ACC chairman Jay Shah’s statement that Asia Cup 2023 would no longer be held in Pakistan.

Jay Shah, who is also the secretary of the Indian Cricket Board, had said on Tuesday that there was no chance of the Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan for the 50-over Asia Cup 2023 next year. Shah said a neutral venue was being considered for the tournament, adding that the neutral venue was not an unprecedented move.

Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in the latter half of 2023. Later, India will host the 2023 cricket World Cup.

The PCB said it was ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the ACC president’s statement. PCB noted that it was consulted before this decision and called for an emergency meeting of the ACC board immediately. PCB officials said the ACC did not inform officially regarding its decision on the ‘sensitive matter’.

According to PCB, Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with an ‘overwhelming support and response’ from the ACC Board Members, which indicated that Jay Shah had taken this decision ‘unilaterally’, without paying heed to its long-term consequences or impacts.

“This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed in September 1983,” said PCB, adding that it could also impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.