Najam Sethi Criticizes Asia Cup Scheduling After India-Pakistan Match Washout | Asia Cup 2023

Najam Sethi Criticizes Asia Cup Scheduling: Najam Sethi, a former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), criticized the Asia Cup schedule following the India-Pakistan match washout in Pallekele, claiming that his proposal to play in the UAE was rejected and that “poor excuses” were offered to make room for Sri Lanka.

It was very unfortunate that India vs Pakistan was called off due to heavy rain. India batted first and Shaheen stoned the Indian top order again. Pakistan bowled excellently and bowled out India in just 266. In the innings break, the rain started and never stopped that night.

Najam Sethi, who took over the PCB chairmanship on an interim basis after Ramiz Raja left last year, voiced his dissatisfaction and regret at the lost chance. He specifically targeted the Asian Cricket Council, claiming that their decision to accept Sri Lanka as a co-host instead of accepting his request to hold the event in the UAE had been made in an unjust manner.

Taking a dig at the ACC, Sethi wrote on X, “How disappointing! Rain mars the greatest contest in cricket. But this was forecast. As PCB Chair, I urged the ACC to play in UAE but poor excuses were made to accommodate Sri Lanka.”

Najam Sethi’s Statement

Najam Sethi also criticized the ACC’s justifications for not holding the competition in Dubai. He wrote, “Too hot in Dubai, they said. But it was as hot as when the Asia Cup was played there last time in Sep 2022 or when the IPL was played there in April 2014 and Sep 2020. Politics over sport. Unforgivable!”

In contrast, the Asia Cup from the previous year was held in the UAE at a comparable time period, but with T20 matches scheduled in the late evening. It is noteworthy that the COVID-19 epidemic allowed the UAE to effectively host the Indian Premier League in 2020 and 2021.

India declined to play their Asia Cup games across their western boundary due to geopolitical tension between the two nations, therefore Sri Lanka was appointed as co-hosts with Pakistan, the original event hosts.

READ: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report | IND vs NEP Asia Cup 2023

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