Before agreeing to send the Pakistani team to India for the ODI World Cup in 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Najam Sethi, is expected to request a written guarantee from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Secretary, Jay Shah, regarding India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in 2025. Both cricket governing bodies have been at odds with one another about choosing the host nation for the Asia Cup in 2023.
Since India hasn’t visited Pakistan since 2008 for political reasons, Jay Shah rejected India’s request to participate in the event after Pakistan was awarded the hosting rights for the tournament in 2022. Therefore, the BCCI prefers that the competition be held at a neutral site outside of Pakistan.
Najam Sethi has repeatedly declined to submit his side for the ODI World Cup 2023, which is slated to take place in India later this year because he is alarmed by India’s position. IndiaTV reported that the PCB is requesting a formal commitment from BCCI’s General Secretary that, if the World Cup matches are held in India, India will travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
Sethi will travel to Dubai on May 8 in order to discuss the issue further with representatives from the ACC and ICC. According to a PCB source, the chairman has consulted with the Pakistani government and has developed a hybrid plan for the Asia Cup that he would present to the ACC.
PCB Source said
“Sethi has recently met with some government officials and also obtained advice from them on whether Pakistan should play in the Asia Cup if it is not held in Lahore and Dubai as proposed by the PCB under its hybrid model plan to the ACC. Sethi is expected to make it very clear to the ACC members that either they accept Pakistan’s hybrid proposal or the PCB will not take part in the competition this year if it is moved from Pakistan,” the PCB source was quoted as saying by IndiaTV.
“Apparently, Sethi has now realized that it is time for some hard decisions and is not willing to accept any more delays from the ACC on the finalization of venues and schedule for the Asia Cup. Sethi is clear now no Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, no Pakistan team in Asia Cup,” the source added.
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