There was not much clarification after a number of announcements from the PCB and BCCI, though, until PCB President Najam Sethi spoke with the Indian media about a range of subjects.
Sethi said, “Yeh baat aap mere bhai Jay Shah se Puchiye jo aap mujhse puch rhe hain,” to the query on the BCCI and PCB Tussle.
“BCCI is adamant about taking the Asia Cup out of Pakistan. We are asking the BCCI to come and play in Pakistan. And we will play in India. We have been telling this for a long time. Since 2008, we have gone to India on many occasions but BCCI has not permitted the Indian team to play in Pakistan. BCCI used to cite security reasons in the past for not touring Pakistan.” the 74-year-old revealed while talking to Indian media.
“But when the security situation is no longer a threat and teams from all over the world are coming to play in Pakistan and nobody has flagged an issue with the security, so what’s the excuse that BCCI has now? This is when their bridge team, their baseball team, their basketball team, and their Kabaddi team have come here to Pakistan and played their respective tournaments. So what is the problem with cricket? So we are not adamant about not playing. It is the BCCI, who are adamant,” Sethi said while talking to Sports Hour.
Sethi also responded to one of the questions regarding PCB decision to play at which neutral venue in case, other Asian teams didn’t decide to visit Pakistan for Asia Cup where he gave an option as England but he added he will only confirm when BCCI agrees on demand of PCB.
“Mere Dost Bhai Jay Shah Se Puchiye. Hum toh muntazir hai ki woh muskarye aur kahe, ‘Aaiye Ji. Hum Pakistan mein char team a khelenge and baki sare neutral venue mein khelenge.’ Sethi Concluded.