PCB Chief Najam Sethi has made some very serious and bold remarks regarding the Asia Cup 2023 hosting rights and the participation of Pakistan in ODI World Cup 2023.
Here’s what PCB Chief said about Asia Cup 2023 Hosting Rights, ODI World Cup 2023 and Indian Government
“We are still in a stage of negotiation. We still haven’t heard back from Jay Shah. We are still in talks with them. We have overcome some of the difficulties. See, the problem is India, because it refuses to play Pakistan bilaterally. It only plays us in ICC tournaments or multilateral fixtures, but there are no bilaterals because India has refused. The Asia Cup hosting is our turn. We were hoping ACC would consult us on venue issues.”
“Jay Shah wants us to play in a neutral venue, but my position as host is that we would want it in PCB; there is no security issue. If India comes to Pakistan, then we will come to India to play the World Cup. We play four matches in Pakistan, and then we go to a neutral venue and play the remaining matches there, including the final. If the solution is implemented, then the WC will go hassle free,” said Sethi.
“Our government can also accuse India of fermenting terrorism. The fact is that 2008 was a century ago, and the situation has improved since then between both countries. The Sri Lankan cricket team had been attacked in 2009, but it came back to Pakistan in 2016. Both the Indian and Pakistani governments can accuse each other, but one should move on and play the game,” said Sethi.
“Situation in Pakistan is fine. International cricket is happening for the last four years. I can turn around and say – Riots were happening in Delhi and elsewhere – so wasn’t that unsafe? When Imran Khan was rioting on the streets, New Zealand was playing cricket. Yes there are hiccups in Pakistan but I’m hopeful situation in September will be better,” he added.
“If the Indian government is stopping BCCI from playing in Pakistan, then the same will happen, and our government will stop us from playing in India.” This is untrue (Pakistan not wanting to play in Ahmedabad). We will play anywhere, but the more pressing matter is Asia Cup, and that should happen as per the model suggested by us,” the PCB chief stated.
“There’s been a lot of to-and-fro on this matter. It’s high time, and the decision should be made very soon. I expect a quick decision – either we play the hybrid model or they play the Asia Cup without Pakistan, which would be financially not viable for anyone,” Sethi concluded.
Source: TimesNow