'ICC's role becomes crucial' - Shahid Afridi shares his thoughts on Asia Cup hosting row

The hosting row of the upcoming Men's Asia Cup has become home to many controversies. The tournament was originally slated to be organised in Pakistan, but due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) stance on not travelling to Pakistan, several reports have surfaced that the tournament could be held elsewhere.

Several dignitaries of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been vocal about the issue, even stating that if India does not come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, they might not travel to India for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also shared his thoughts on the same on his YouTube channel recently. "Asia Cup was supposed to take place in Pakistan. But India has announced that if it takes place in Pakistan, then we won’t be participating. If you want us to participate, change the venue," said Ashwin.

"But we would have seen this happen many times. When we say that we won’t go to their place, they will say that they will also not come to our place. Similarly, Pakistan has said that they will also not come to the World Cup. But however, I think it is not possible," he added.

Shahid Afridi expresses his thoughts on Asia Cup hosting row

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi also came forward to talk about the matter. The 45-year-old blamed the system that the PCB finds themselves in such a situation. He also mentioned that the International Cricket Council should be involved in the matter before he went so far as to state that the ICC is going to be powerless against the BCCI.

"If anyone is unable to stand on his own feet and then the decision to make such strong calls is not easy. They have to look at plenty of things. India agar aankhe dikha raha hain (If India is showing you their eyes), or taking such strong stance, then they have made themselves that strong, hence they are being able to talk like this, otherwise, they wouldn't have the courage. At the end it's making yourself strong and then take decisions," said Afridi on Samaa TV.