Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Najam Sethi, has reiterated his stance on shifting the venue of Asia Cup 2023 to the UAE or any other country. Sethi said that the Pakistani national team would find it difficult to participate in the World Cup 2023 if the hosting rights were taken away from Pakistan. He added that the government of Pakistan would not allow the team to play in the upcoming World Cup, as India’s government had stopped the BCCI from touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
Najam Sethi also stated that the PCB had played its part in not complicating cricket relations with India by proposing a plan to host the event in two phases. The first phase would be played in Pakistan, excluding India, while the second phase would take place at a neutral venue. According to Sethi, all participants except India would play one match in Pakistan, and in the second phase, all teams, including India, would play their remaining matches in the UAE.
Sethi mentioned that if the hybrid model is accepted for the Asia Cup, then it would apply to the World Cup as well. He stated that Pakistan would play their matches during the World Cup in Bangladesh or some other country. The proposal was reportedly discussed with all members of the Asian Cricket Council, who will present it to the ACC President, Jay Shah, for a final decision.
The PCB Chairman’s statement sends a strong message to India, making it clear that Pakistan would not give up hosting rights for the World Cup 2023 without a fight. It remains to be seen whether the proposal presented by the PCB is accepted, and the hosting rights of the Asia Cup and the World Cup are retained by Pakistan.
 Chairman, Najam Sethi, has reiterated his stance on shifting the venue of Asia Cup 2023 to the UAE or any other country){kind=link}