Seems like the India-Pakistan saga for the Asia Cup and the ICC Cricket World cup 2023 is far from getting over as neither sides are willing to comply with each other at any cost. While India’s apex cricketing board BCCI are standing firm on their stance of not traveling to Pakistan, the PCB are not looking to lose this chance of hosting the Intercontinental tournament for this first time since 2008.
As we all know, India and Pakistan’s relationship has deteriorated since then. The only time these 2 nations play cricket against each other is during major Continental and International events and whenever they take on the field, its always a Mega spectacle.
The last time India took on Pakistan was during the ICC T20 Cricket World cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as 90,293 people came to see India win the match enroute Virat Kohli’s excellence. In fact last year, we witnessed both of the teams play 3 times – Twice during the Asia Cup and Once in T20 World cup.
Its not even a question if revenues are being made from the match but this year it seems as if India Vs Pakistan will only be a possibility during the ICC Cricket World cup 2023 scheduled to take place in India from October onwards because BCCI have finalized their decision to not travel to Pakistan.
UAE and Sri-Lanka back out from hosting India’s Asia Cup matches
BCCI were also exploring the option of organizing their matches in either UAE and Sri-Lanka. However, both of the nations have declined from hosting 2 or 3 matches as they want the entire tournament to be moved from Pakistan so that UAE and Sri-Lanka earn more revenues and as a result the whole Asia Cup 2023 is set to be scrapped off for this year.
BCCI planning to schedule a separate tournament in place of Asia Cup
Sources close to BCCI have also said that Secretary Jay Shah is planning to schedule a separate tournament in place of Asia Cup in that window of September along with nations excluding Pakistan. Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India and Nepal will play in the 5 team tournament.
Chennai and Bengaluru could host all PAK matches
When India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan Cricket Board retaliated by stating that they will also not send their team to India for the ICC Cricket World cup 2023 as they wanted to play their matches in Sri-Lanka and Bangladesh. But if Pakistan is to play the WC here, then Chennai and Bengaluru are shortlisted as the 2 states where the Green army could play their matches.
Pakistan can also lose rights to host 2025 ICC Champions Trophy!
With India not travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, it is likely that Pakistan can lose the hosting rights for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The previous edition of the Champions trophy was held in 2017 and it was won by Pakistan as they defeated India in the Final.
