Pakistan Cricket Board threatens to pull out of ODI World Cup over ‘neutral’ Asia Cup venue

Pakistan’s cricket board has threatened to pull out of next year’s ODI World Cup after BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced that the 2023 Asia Cup would be played at a neutral venue, according to a PTI report. 

The hosting rights for the 50-over Asia Cup had been given to Pakistan by the Asian Cricket Council. Shah is the president of the ACC. However, prior to the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday, a circular was passed around to the board’s members that the Asia Cup would be played in Pakistan. When the meeting ended, multiple cricket websites quoted Shah as saying that the BCCI had decided to play the cup at a neutral venue. 

As a result of the announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman Ramiz Raja will reportedly be sending a letter to the ACC regarding Shah’s statement and ask that an emergency meeting be convened in Melbourne next month. In addition, the PCB is considering pulling out of the ICC World Cup in India next year. “The PCB is now prepared to take hard decisions and play hard ball because it is also aware that the ICC and ACC events will have to face commercial liabilities and losses if Pakistan does not play India in these multi-team events” a PCB source said.

India hasn’t played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asian Cup. Following the November terrorist attacks that year, the bilateral series in early 2009 was cancelled. In addition, other teams have not visited Pakistan to play since the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore. While Pakistan did travel to India in 2012 for a short six-match white ball series, there haven’t been any more bilateral events. 

In addition to convening an emergency meeting in Melbourne next month, the PCB is reportedly threatening to pull out of the ACC altogether.