'Can impact Pakistan's visit to India for 2023 ODI World Cup' - PCB responds to Jay Shah's statement on shifting Asia Cup to neutral venue next year

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has responded to ACC President and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah's statement of team India not travelling to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. He had also announced that the tournament will entirely be shifted to the neutral venue that hasn't gone down well with the PCB. The board has released a statement confirming that they and the ACC members were not consulted before making a decision.

PCB cleared that they are disappointed with Jay Shah's comments while also adding that he made the statement unilaterally. PCB also fears that this decision might split the Asian and international cricket communities.

This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed, says PCB

"The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment of yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The comments were made without any discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications.

“After having presided over the ACC meeting during which Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with an overwhelming support and response from the ACC Board Members, Mr Shah’s statement of shifting of the ACC Asia Cup has clearly been made unilaterally. This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed in September 1983 – a united Asian cricket body to safeguard the interests of the its Members and organise, develop, and promote the game of cricket in Asia.

“The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities, and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.

“The PCB has to date not received any official communication or clarification from the ACC on the statement of the ACC President. As such, the PCB has now requested the Asian Cricket Council to convene an emergency meeting of its Board as soon as practically possible to discuss this important and sensitive matter," PCB's statement read according to their press release.

On Tuesday, several former Pakistan cricketer including Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar also expressed their disappointment over India's decision to tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023.