The ice finally seems to be melting between the two Asian Cricket boards as they’ve seemed to have found an improbable solution in the hosting dispute of Asia Cup 2023. In the latest turn of events the news coming from the centre is that Pakistan is set to host this year’s edition with another neutral venue to host India’s matches. The neutral venue is not yet confirmed but it’s likely going to be UAE, Oman, SL, or even England.
ICC Meeting in Dubai
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members met on the sidelines during the ICC quarterly meeting last week in Dubai & mutually agreed on the option of hosting a part of the Asia Cup on a neutral venue with Pakistan as the official host. PCB was headed by its chairman Najam Sethi while the BCCI team was composed of Jay Shah, its secretary & Arun Dhumal, the IPL governing council chairman.
Asia Cup 2023 – The fate decided?
Pakistan & India have been paired together in the same group with a qualifier for this 50-over edition of Asia Cup 2023. Similar to 2022, both Asian powerhouses clashed twice in seven days. With Pakistan & India set to meet twice (Group stage & Super 4) or even in the Final, India is set to play five matches on a neutral venue. Sri Lanka Bangladesh & Afghanistan form the second group with the top 2 teams from each group qualifying for Super 4. The format is the same as of Asia Cup 2022 with 13 matches set to be played across 13 days including the final.
Also read: Amid Asia Cup 2023 Uncertainty- ACC lashes out at PCB Chairman
A small panel has been formed to work out the details regarding the schedule & travel plan, feasible for all of the participating nations. Temperature is likely to play a key role as UAE has high temperatures in September around 40°C, although Pakistan has played games in the past. Muscat has cooler temperatures and it has already hosted the first round of T20 WC 2021.
BCCI Stance before
Last October, BCCI received backlash from Pakistan when Jay Shah gave an immature statement that the Asia Cup would be held in a neutral venue. The then PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja threatened to pull out of the tournament if they were denied their hosting rights.
Shah reiterated that the BCCI hosted Asia Cup at a neutral venue in 2018 when it became clearer that Pakistan wouldn’t be able to travel to India due to the strained political relations. With the situation still, the same, India can’t travel to Pakistan under the current circumstances.
For cricket fans in Pakistan, although it’s good news that Pakistan is going to host their first major tournament since the Asia Cup in 2008, the fans will be disappointed to not see India play on their home soil.
ICC World Cup 2023 fate?
With this decision now all eyes will be on the ICC World Cup 2023 which is going to be hosted by India in early October. Although it’s too early to say anything in this regard, this outcome might impact Pakistan playing on Indian soil.
The BCCI is said to have given assurances to the ICC regarding the visa clearance of the Pakistan cricket team. But Pakistan might also ask to play its matches on neutral venues who knows? Let’s wait as only time will tell.
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