Reports: If Asia Cup is moved out of Pakistan, Pakistan will consider opting out of World Cup in India, says Najam Sethi

Asia Cup is scheduled to be played later this year in Pakistan but the debate around the tournament venue has already reached the boiling point. India and Pakistan are two of the biggest nations in the cricket world and when these two teams meet on the field, it is no less than a great spectacle to watch. The fans of both the teams make sure to have their voices heard in the stadium for their country. 

Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to be played in Pakistan later this year but the debate on whether India would be traveling to Pakistan is far from settled. The political relations between the two Asian nations have not been fine and this is why they have not bee indulging in any bilateral series for long time. 

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had it's meeting on 4th February in Bahrain to discuss the issues regarding the upcoming tournament. It was believed that both the BCCI and the PCB stood strong on their fronts.

According to numerous reports in Pakistani and international media outlets, such as Cricket Pakistan, The News, ESPNcricinfo, and GEO TV, the PCB President Najam Sethi warned the BCCI Secretary Jay Shah during the meeting that Pakistan would not participate in the World Cup that would be held in India in October-November if India pulled out of the Asia Cup that is scheduled in Pakistan in September 2023, although there are no confirmations regarding the schedule of the continental tournament yet.

Jay Shah was left surprised by Pakistan's stand on the Asia Cup situation and did not expect this at all in the meeting. It is to be noted that former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja had also warned India of serious consequences if Asia Cup gets moved out of Pakistan. The ICC and ACC Executive Board meetings are scheduled to be held back-to-back in March, where a definitive decision on the venue is expected.

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