The PCB is dissatisfied with the recent Asia Cup schedule announcement by Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary and ACC President. The untimely disclosure overshadowed the PCB’s plans.
Before a scheduled ceremony in Lahore on July 19th, where the tournament’s schedule and trophy were to be unveiled, Jay Shah took to social media to reveal the fixtures, leaving PCB officials in dismay.
The PCB had a prior arrangement with the ACC, agreeing that the Asia Cup schedule would be officially released a mere five minutes after the ceremony began in Lahore.
Unfortunately, Jay Shah’s premature revelation of the fixtures disrupted the carefully planned event and undermined its significance, as cricket enthusiasts across the region were already aware of the schedule.
PCB insiders expressed frustration and conveyed their displeasure to the ACC over the incident. The ACC attributed the mishap to misunderstandings regarding the time difference between India and Pakistan.
The 30-minute time zone difference between India and Pakistan heightened the PCB’s surprise at Jay Shah’s actions. Additionally, there were speculations that Shah’s actions might have been driven by past tensions.
The Asia Cup will start from August 30 in Multan, featuring Pakistan against Nepal in the opening match
One notable instance was the controversial invitation from PCB Chairman Ashraf to Jay Shah to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup matches.
This invitation was widely circulated in the media by the sports minister, Ahsan Mazari, and the PCB during the ICC annual meeting held in Durban.
Some sources suggest that Jay Shah’s untimely announcement could have been an attempt to settle scores in response to this incident.
The forthcoming Asia Cup, set to commence on August 30 in Multan, promises an exciting clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on September 2 in Kandy.
Pakistan will host four out of the 13 matches, including the first Super 4s fixture, while the remaining nine matches, including the final, will be played in Sri Lanka.
The PCB, despite its discontent, is determined to ensure the successful hosting of the prestigious tournament.
However, this incident has highlighted the need for better communication and understanding between the cricket boards involved to prevent such misunderstandings in the future.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the thrilling contests that the Asia Cup is known for, hoping that the excitement on the field will overshadow any off-field disputes.
The tournament’s success lies in bringing together teams from across Asia, uniting fans and promoting the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
