PCB vs BCCI: The rivalry between Pakistan and India is known to everyone. These two countries keep locking horns at every forum. This time around they have locked horns at the level of cricket boards and the Asia Cup 2023 is the matter that has brought both boards in front of each other.
Asia Cup 2023
Asia Cup 2023 is the event that is supposed to take place in September 2023. The hosting rights of this event were initially given to Pakistan. PCB is going to host the Asia Cup 2023. This year’s Asia Cup is also very important because of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup which is going to take place in October this year in India.
Jay Shah’s Statement
BCCI’s secretary and the son of BJP’s Amit Shah, Jay Shah said that the Indian cricket team won’t travel to Pakistan to play Asia Cup due to security reasons. He also said that the Asia Cup will be moved to a neutral venue from Pakistan. This statement laid the foundation for the war of words between BCCI and PCB officials.
PCB’s Stance
In response to this statement of Jay Shah, Najam Sethi, the chairman of PCB said that if India won’t travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, then Pakistan won’t travel to India for the World Cup later the same year. Najam Sethi also said that Pakistan will boycott this year’s Asia Cup if the matches of the Asia Cup are not played in Pakistan.
Hybrid Model
Now Pakistan has presented a new hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023. According to this model, the initial 4 matches of the Asia Cup will be played in Pakistan and the rest of the matches will take place at a neutral venue. But PCB has also said that Pakistan won’t travel to India for the World Cup. Pakistan wants its World Cup matches to be played outside of India (which quite frankly seems impossible). Now PCB is trying to convince Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan cricket boards to support this model presented by Pakistan.
ACC’s Meeting
The meeting of the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) is going to take place this week. Where the final decision regarding the hosting of the Asia Cup will be taken.
BCCI is trying its best to make sure that the Asia Cup doesn’t take place in Pakistan. While PCB is trying its best to get the approval of the hybrid model for the Asia Cup from the ACC.
Opinion
PCB vs BCCI: Our personal opinion is that sports should be kept away from politics. Both PCB and BCCI should visit each other’s country to play cricket. This is what is best for the game and fans on both sides of the border.