However, BCCI was first to make a decision that it will not be safe for Indian team to travel to Pakistan for their Asia Cup matches. The safety concern is a big issue for both teams for what we have seen happening between both nations in past years.
Also, Pakistan is going through a panic stricken situation, a country gassed in political turmoil with violent protests taking place all over the major cities after the detainment of former Pakistani captain Imran Khan.
BCCI proposed a hybrid plan to deal with the deadlock scenario, putting up a plan according to which Indian team will play its matches in UAE. The last time Pakistan hosted Asia Cup was back in 2008.
If the deadlock continues, PCB chief Najeeb Sethi has hinted that there is a real possibility that Pakistan will boycott the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup which will take place in India.
During an interview Najam Sethi said: “BCCI should take a good, rational decision so that we don’t have any problems going forward.”
“India should not be looking at a situation where we end up boycotting the Asia Cup and also the World Cup, and then India ends up boycotting the Champions Trophy [in Pakistan in 2025]. That will be a huge mess.”
“That’s a very real possibility, of course,” added Sethi when asked whether Pakistan could opt out of the 50-over World Cup in India.
Sethi cited similar security concerns for his home side, travelling to India for a long ODI World Cup will be full of threats, according to Sethi. It is really reflection of BCCI’s response to PCB concerning the Asia Cup.
Pakistan didn’t host any international level match after the unfortunate terror attack on Sri Lankan caravan during 2008 tour in Lahore.
However, last 18 months have been good for Pakistan as they hosted big series against Australia, England and New Zealand. They gained trust of these teams as things changed for better.
India and Pakistan don’t play each other in bilateral series anymore, they only come face to face in global events which becomes a sold out match as we saw it happening at MCG during the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup last year.
Najam Sethi has said that Pakistan will propose the same hybrid model for World Cup where all of its matches will be played a neutral venues such as Mirpur, Dhaka, Sri Lanka or UAE for upcoming World Cup.
“Every major country has toured Pakistan in the last few years. You name them, they’ve all been there. They all appreciated the security arrangements. That’s not a problem anymore,” added Sethi.
“The India-Pakistan game is the biggest game in town. It’s bigger than Australia vs England, it’s bigger than India vs Australia. How can we jeopardise that by a stubbornness?
“The Indian bridge team has been to Pakistan, the Indian kabaddi team has been to Pakistan, the Indian baseball team has been to Pakistan. Why can’t the Indian cricket team come to Pakistan?”