‘Bechare Pakistan ke paas koi ab koi chara nahi’ – Fans react as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka back Indian Cricket Board in moving Asia Cup out of Pakistan

Pakistan have suffered a huge blow in the 2023 Asia Cup controversy as the cricket boards of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have come in support of the Indian Cricket Board over moving the multi-nation tournament out of Pakistan.

According to Geo News, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are backing the Indian Cricket Board for not sending its team in Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Meanwhile, Asia Cricket Council (ACC) is likely to shift the tournament to UAE if it doesn’t takes place in Pakistan. Pakistan have got the chance to host the Asia Cup for the first time since 2008. President of the Indian Cricket Board and ACC, Jay Shah, said that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament and backed the idea of hosting the event outside the of the country.

In replying to this, PCB Chief Najam Sethi also said that Pakistan can also consider to boycott the ODI World Cup in India if they don’t come to their country. After that, PCB suggested a hybrid model for the Asia Cup where the tournament will be held in Pakistan and India can play their matches at the neutral venue. However, India denied the proposal suggesting that it can make things more awkward for both the cricket boards.

‘Cricket will be the ultimate sufferer’ – Najam Sethi

Meanwhile, the Indian government had urged its cricket board to take a stronger stance for the same in the next ACC meeting. Reportedly, India are ready to withdraw from the Asia Cup and are planning to organise a new five-nation tournament in that window. Jay Shah has promised the broadcasters to compensate for the loss due to Pakistan’s absence during a series involving India shortly.

Earlier, Najam Sethi proposed ending the crisis between both the board to ensure that cricket doesn’t suffer and asked for a diplomatic way. “In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to compete in the Asia Cup, chances are there that the Pakistan government would not allow the Men in Green to cross the borders for their World Cup participation. In that case, cricket will be the ultimate sufferer,” Sethi said, as quoted in Geo News.

“There should be a middle way to solve problems that surely threaten the smooth hosting of Apex Cricket Council and ACC events. In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the government will not allow us to travel to India to feature in the World Cup matches,” he further added.

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SL and Bangladesh cricket boards… pic.twitter.com/3ItplEnsPd

— Rushi (@iamrushi_303) May 8, 2023

Afg board also will definitely back because their home ground is in India. Only Nepal is pending. Almost all countries playing Asia cup is not gonna come to Pakistan except the home team who's going to play tri series against Zimbabwe and Namibia

— Rituraja Gajakwad 31 (@RiturajPopa) May 8, 2023

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