The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could opt to pull out of the 2023 ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in India next year, following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah's decision of not traveling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.
Pakistan was previously announced as the host nation of the Asia Cup 2023, but following the statement from Shah, who also is the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the tournament could be relocated to a neutral venue.
“Neutral venue for the Asia Cup is not unprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan. I have decided that we will play at a neutral venue,” Shah stated during a BCCI annual general meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, 18 October, as per quotes in Cricbuzz.
However, the ACC president’s comments have not gone down well with the PCB officials, who held a meeting in Lahore to discuss various matters.
Following the decision to relocate Asia Cup 2023 out of Pakistan, the PCB are now planning to reiterate via a few options, one of which is opting out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, while the board is also considering pulling out of the ACC.
PCB Responds to Shah's Statement
In a statement released on Wednesday, 19 October, the PCB stated they were 'surprised and disappointed' with the statements of Jay Shah, and further confirmed that it could have implications on Pakistan's visit to India for next year's 50-over World Cup.
"The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The comments were made without any discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications," PCB wrote in their statement.
"The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities, and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle," they further added.
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