PCB Chairman Najam Sethi Responses To Jay Shah Over Asia Cup 2023 Host Row

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have been at odds ever since Pakistan was assigned as the host of the upcoming Asian Cup 2023. BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has been firm in his stance that India will not tour Pakistan for the tournament. Matters between the two cricket boards got heated when former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja warned the BCCI that their decision could have serious consequences as Pakistan might also pull out of the ODI World Cup in India.

Taking notes from BBCI secretary Jay Shah’s stance on the Pak tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Najam Sethi has reportedly told BCCI secretary Jay Shah that his country wants to host the Asia Cup and if the tournament is moved out, Pakistan will not send its team for the men’s ODI World Cup in India, said a report.

The ACC is expected to shift the Asia Cup from Pakistan and decide on an alternate venue in March.

Dicussion of BCCI & PCB In Bahrain

Earlier, on Saturday, BCCI secretary Shah and PCB chairman Sethi held talks at the Asiam Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Bahrain to discuss the matter.

According to several reports in Pakistan and international media outlets including Cricket Pakistan, The News, ESPNcricinfo and GEO TV, Sethi warned Shah at the meeting, saying that if India pull out of the September event, Pakistan will not take part in the World Cup to be held in India in October-November.

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“The PCB took particular exception to that and ESPNCricinfo understands that on Saturday their chief Najam Sethi told Shah that if India doesn’t play in Pakistan, Pakistan will consider not playing in India for the 2023 World Cup,” ESPN Cricinfo’s report said.

Moreover, in another report, Sethi’s tough stance at the ACC meeting took Shah by surprise. “Sethi’s stance took Jay Shah by surprise as he was not expecting this, “ the report said.

A final decision on the venue is expected to be taken in March when the ICC and ACC Executive Board meetings take place one after the other.