DURBAN: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Zaka Ashraf invited Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, ARY News reported.
As per details, the PCB Management Committee chairman met the BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Durban South Africa on the sidelines of the CEC meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s annual session in Durban, South Africa and both agreed to continue meetings and strengthen the cricketing relations.
Sources claimed that BCCI Secretary accepted Ashraf’s invitation to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan before also extending an invitation to the PCB head for ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 in India.
Ashraf, in a bid to strengthen the cricketing ties between two neighbouring countries, also accepted the invitation.
Zaka Ashraf told the BCCI secretary that the people of Pakistan are famous for their hospitality and they know how to value their guests. This is a new beginning and the meetings will continue, he added.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), last month, accepted the hybrid model proposed by the PCB and confirmed the hosts and schedule of the Asia Cup 2023.
“We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from 31st August to 17th September 2023 and will see the elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches,” the ACC said in a statement.
The multi-national tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka despite massive opposition by the BCCI.
The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s.
Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and joint-host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.
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