Pakistan currently own the hosting rights to two tournaments, Asia Cup 2023 and the Champions Trophy 2025. Meanwhile, there have been reservations about India’s participation in these two tournaments given their political relation with Pakistan.
Initial reports suggested that India would be travelling to Pakistan for Asia Cup in 2023, which was good news to all cricket fans as India hasn’t toured Pakistan since 2008. However, a recent statement from the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, said otherwise.
“Neutral venue for Asia Cup is not unprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan,” Shah said to Cricbuzz.
Due to the political tension between the countries, the BCCI hasn’t agreed to the terms of travelling to the neighbouring country. The Government of India also reportedly denied permission of traveling to the neighbouring country.
Given that the BCCI secretary is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the talks for hosting this tournament at a neutral venue are not entirely out of the equation. The BCCI is one of the most potent cricket boards in the world and has considerable power in this sport.
India to play Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue – Jay Shah
The BCCI secretary further insisted that the Men in Blue will play the next edition of the continental tournament at a neutral venue. The last time India toured Pakistan was in 2008, while the Men in Green played in India for the last time in 2012-13.
“I have decided that we will play at a neutral venue,” he added.
The BCCI, however, has deferred a decision over the team’s participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which has been allotted to Pakistan, stating that there is a lot of time left for that championship.
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