India won’t go to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, India hits back at PCB after their threat to leave ACC: India has retaliated back on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), reiterating that India’s chances of travelling to Pakistan for the next Asia Cup are scanty. The development was confirmed by India’s Union Minister for Sports, Anurag Thakur.
The Union Minister in response to Pakistan Cricket Board’s threat to leave Asian Cricket Council (ACC) membership and boycott the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, said, “India is not in a position to be dictated”.
“I feel India is not in a position to be dictated (by someone) and there is no reason for anyone to do that,” said the Union Minister for Sports.
He further welcomed all the qualified teams including Pakistan to travel to India and take part in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“All teams who qualify for (World Cup) are invited (to compete on the Indian soil). Many times Pakistan teams have come to India and played.”
When asked whether India will travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, Mr Thakur said the decision will be taken by the home ministry at the right time.
“Possibilities are always there. Who thought there will be COVID-19? Anything can happen but the chances (of Indian team travelling to Pakistan) are not much. It’s a decision that will be taken by the home ministry. Overall, players’ safety and security is an important matter,” said the minister.
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India vs Pakistan match to be held in neutral venue: Jay Shah
All this was triggered after the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah said that team India won’t travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup and the INDvsPAK match will be held at a neutral venue. The query was answered by Jay Shah during a media interaction after BCCI’s annual general meeting recently.
Following Shah’s remark, PCB came into action and called for an emergency meeting with all the office bearers of the PCB. The Pakistan cricket board indicated that it would pull out of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) altogether if India doesn’t play Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023.
It also threatened of pulling out of the next year’s ODI World Cup which is scheduled to be held in India.