Cricket Warzone: BCCI's Bold Ultimatum to PCB - Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka or Surrender!

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been in a cold war since BCCI’s secretary, Jay Shah told the media that Asia Cup 2023 won’t happen in Pakistan. It all started way back in October 2022, when India announced the FTP (Future Tour Programs) for 2023-2027, where Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan was also mentioned. Media and the public started asking BCCI whether they will tour Pakistan for Asia Cup in 2023 or not and Jay Shah said, “India will not travel to Pakistan.“

PCB and The Asia Cup Hosting Rights

PCB was given the hosting rights for Asia Cup in 2018 which was scheduled to take place in 2020 but was moved due to the Covid pandemic. However, it is now scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2023 and PCB was giving hosting rights in agreement with all members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) including BCCI. BCCI is saying Pakistan is not safe and should schedule Asia Cup 2023 somewhere else despite the fact that Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand have toured Pakistan in recent times.

PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi revealed that he proposed a Hybrid Model in the ACC meeting, according to which the tournament will be played in two halves. The first half will see Pakistan hosting Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan and then the tournament will be shifted to someplace else that PCB selects as the Hosting Rights remain with PCB, most likely Sri Lanka will be the venue as other boards have opposed UAE due to extreme heat.

BCCI Has Rejected PCB’s Hybrid Model For Asia Cup 2023

Nevertheless, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Hybrid Model and will officially convey its message in the next ACC meeting. A BCCI official told Inside Sport, “There is no possibility whatsoever of Pakistan hosting the Asia Cup. We will also take it to the ICC so that the Champions Trophy 2025 is also shifted out. For now, Sri Lanka is likely to host the tournament. But a final decision will be taken only at the ACC meeting.”

PCB Threatens To Boycott Asia Cup 2023 as well as The World Cup

Najam Sethi had a clear stance for the Asia Cup 2023, Talking to the Sports Tak, an Indian media outlet, Najam Sethi said, “If India won’t play in Pakistan, we too won’t play in India. It’s our decision.” He made it clear if Indian Team doesn’t come to Pakistan for Asia Cup, then Pakistan will boycott the 2023 ICC World Cup which is scheduled to take place in India as well as Asia Cup will also happen without Pakistan.

Asia Cup To Be Played Without Pakistan Cricket Team

BCCI has made it pretty clear that Asia Cup 2023 will happen in Sri Lanka with or without Pakistan. However, if Pakistan withdraws from the Asia Cup it is most likely to be played among India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan which will be a 5-nation tournament.

Pakistan Set to Withdraw from the 2023 ICC World Cup?

In response to the question about whether Pakistan will boycott the 2023 ICC World Cup in India, Najam Sethi said there is a “very real possibility.” When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially rejects the Hybrid Model, does that mean Pakistan will boycott the 2023 World Cup? ICC Chairman and Chief Executive’s recent visit to Pakistan and meeting with PCB, what did they discuss? What was the outcome of the meeting? stay tuned for my next piece, I’ll answer all your queries regarding Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 World Cup in that article.