PCB responds to Jay Shah’s statement on Asia Cup 2023: On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed disappointment over BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s remarks about playing the Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue. After the BCCI’s 91st Annual General Meeting, Shah, who also is the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said next year’s continental tournament will be played at a neutral venue. Asia Cup 2023 was initially set to be played in Pakistan.

READ FULL ARTICLE: India will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023: Jay Shah

PCB responds to ACC President’s statement

A day after Shah’s statement, the PCB issued a statement and said that the ACC chief made the comments without any discussion or consultation with the ACC board or the host PCB.

Pakistan Cricket Board wrote, “The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr. Jay Shah regarding shifting next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The words 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 toward their long-term consequences and implications.”

“After having presided over the ACC meeting during which Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with overwhelming support and response from the ACC Board Members, Mr. Shah’s statement of shifting of the ACC Asia Cup has clearly been made unilaterally. This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed in September 1983 – a united Asian cricket body to safeguard the interests of its Members and organize, develop, and promote the game of cricket in Asia.”

The PCB further said that such a statement could result in Pakistan being pulled out of the 2023 World Cup in India and future ICC events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.

“The overall impact of such statements has 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.”

Concluded their note by writing: “The PCB has to date not received any official communication from the ACC on the statement of the ACC President. As such, the PCB has written to the Asian Cricket Council to convene an emergency meeting of its Board as soon as practically possible on this important and sensitive matter.”

It is important to note that now things get very complicated as India and Pakistan are set to host two upcoming ICC events. India will host the 2023 ODI World Cup while Pakistan has been officially selected to stage the 2025 Champions Trophy.

PCB’s statement got trolled on social media

This statement of the Pakistan Cricket Board was widely ridiculed on social media. Because some time ago, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Rameez Raja had said that the BCCI is funding 90% of the ICC, in such a situation, would the PCB take a re-look at its decision?

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