Pakistan issues a boycott threat should it be denied hosting rights for the Asia Cup.
Najam Sethi, the chairman of Pakistan’s cricket board, has cautioned that Pakistan may boycott the World Cup in India this year if they are stripped of their hosting rights for the Asia Cup. The two nations have not engaged in bilateral cricket in the past ten years due to political tensions, only playing each other in multi-team events held at neutral venues.
India has cited safety concerns as the reason for not travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in September, and the PCB has proposed a “hybrid model” where matches are played in the United Arab Emirates. Sethi claims that India wants the entire tournament moved out of Pakistan, which could result in Pakistan withdrawing from the World Cup.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have also refused to participate in the UAE, citing logistical issues and heat, leading to concerns that the Asian Cricket Council may shift the whole competition out of Pakistan. Sethi has warned that Pakistan may boycott the World Cup in response. He has also demanded reciprocal terms for their team at the World Cup in October and November if India agrees to the hybrid model for the Asia Cup.
Sethi blames the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) “stubbornness” for failing to transform the India-Pakistan rivalry into cricket’s greatest rivalry.
Pakistan has been deprived of international cricket since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore and has had to make considerable efforts to persuade top teams to resume touring the country. Sethi claims that all major cricketing nations have toured Pakistan in recent years and praised the security arrangements, making security a non-issue.
He believes that Pakistan, as a leading cricketing nation, should not be overlooked and that they must approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the Asia Cup issue. However, Sethi believes that India will oppose the ICC’s intervention, particularly during the Asia Cup. The ICC has yet to comment on the matter.
To read more: Imran Khan warns of PDM ‘goons’ trying to take over Supreme Court