Kamran Akmal hits back at BCCI over Asia Cup row

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over its decision of not willing to send its players to Pakistan to participate in the Asia Cup 2023, as its hosting rights are with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

This debate has been going on for months now and a final decision is still awaited, with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) expected to conduct a meeting regarding the same in March, in order to decide the fate of the multinational tournament.

Hamaari bhi respect hai: Kamran Akmal 

"Pakistan should definitely play the Asia Cup, even if it is played in the UAE. But see, if Indians don't want to come to Pakistan, we should also not play the World Cup match against them. We should not go for the World Cup.

While the decision lies in the hands of the ICC and the PCB, we also have some respect (Hamaari bhi KOI respect hai), and we have also been world champions. The issue isn't between the two boards, it is in the hands of the two governments," the 41-year-old said while speaking on YouTuber Nadir Ali's podcast.

The former wicketkeeper-batter didn't mince his words to express his displeasure over the issue. He was of the opinion that the matter was unnecessarily being blown completely out of proportion and there was just no need for so much of discussion.

He went on to state that in a sporting matter, there was no need to bring in politics, and yet the governments of both the neighbouring countries are getting involved. He mentioned that Pakistan deserves to be respected on equal terms just like India because even Pakistan like India have been world champions and are quite a good team in world cricket. A final decision on the Asia Cup 2023 is still awaited.

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