SHARJAH: The General Manager of Cricket for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Wasim Khan asserted that Pakistan may play their matches of the upcoming ODI World Cup at a neutral venue.
The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the Men’s ODI World Cup has been in jeopardy after the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) refused to tour Pakistan for the aforementioned tournament on political grounds.
The BCCI maintained their stance of not touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup, while the PCB was adamant that if they do not, then Pakistan might not travel to India for the World Cup in October-November.
In the latest development, however, reported by ESPN Cricinfo, PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are gradually moving towards a compromise after an initial standoff over the hosting of the Asian event.
The news reports claimed that two boards have nearly agreed to host India matches outside Pakistan while the rest of the matches will be played in the country.
Meanwhile, former CEO of the PCB Wasim shared his prediction regarding how this deadlock will unfold in an exclusive interview with ARY News on the sidelines of the recently-concluded T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan here and claimed that Pakistan might also play their world cup matches on a neutral venue.
“I don’t know if it would take place here on in a different country but a neutral venue is highly likely,” responded Wasim in a question regarding the likely neutral venue for India’s Asia Cup fixtures.
“I don’t think that Pakistan will play their matches in India. I think their matches will also be held at a neutral venue just like India’s Asia Cup matches,” Wasim concluded.
It may be noted here that the uncertainty around the 2023 Asia Cup began in October last year when the ACC president, and BCCI secretary, Jay Shah refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan and has since been trying to shift the tournament to a neutral venue.
An emergency meeting of the Asian Cricket Council was held in this regard in Bahrain last month but failed to reach a breakthrough.
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