Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi wants a written guarantee from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah that India will surely come to Pakistan to participate in the ICC (International Cricket Council) Champions Trophy 2025. PCB Chief put this proposal regarding the participation of the Pakistan Cricket team in India for the ODI World Cup this year.
For the World Cup to be held from October 5 this year, the BCCI has shortlisted Ahmedabad (match against India), Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata as possible hosts for Pakistan’s matches. The ACC (Asian Cricket Council), headed by Jay Shah, did not ratify the proposed ‘hybrid model’ for the upcoming Asia Cup. In the ‘hybrid model’, India will play its matches in UAE, while Pakistan will host other matches.
According to media reports, Najam Sethi is scheduled to leave for Dubai on May 8, where he will meet with the ACC and the International Cricket Council officials. According to PCB sources, during his visit to Dubai, Sethi is also expected to start lobbying to garner support for Pakistan’s principled stand that they will not play the upcoming World Cup 2023 matches in India until the BCCI and ICC agree to the same in 2025.
The source said, “Najam Sethi recently met some government officials and also took their advice that if the Asia Cup is not held in Lahore and Dubai, as proposed by the PCB to the ACC under its hybrid model plan, then Should Pakistan play in the Asia Cup?”
According to sources, Sethi is expected to make it clear to the ACC members that either they accept Pakistan’s hybrid proposal, or if the tournament is pulled out of Pakistan, the PCB will not participate in the competition this year. The PCB chairman is not ready to accept the further delay in the Asia Cup schedule.
Najam Sethi has now realized it is time for some tough decisions and is not ready to accept any more delay from the ACC in finalizing the venues and schedule for the Asia Cup. Sources claimed that Sethi’s stand is clear that if no Asia Cup matches are held in Pakistan, the Pakistan team will not play in the Asia Cup.
