Surprised and disappointed, PCB responds to Jay Shah's statement on Asia Cup 2023

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday expressed its disappointment over BCCI secretary Jay Shah's comments on playing the Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue.

After BCCI's 91st Annual General Meeting, Shah, who is also the chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said that next year's continental tournament will be played at a neutral venue. The Asia Cup 2023 was originally scheduled to be played in Pakistan.

"We will have Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue. It is the government which decides over the permission of our team visiting Pakistan so we won't comment on that but for the 2023 Asia Cup, it is decided that the tournament will be held at a neutral venue," Shah told.

A day after Shah's statement, PCB issued a statement and said that the ACC chief made the comments without any discussion or consultation with the ACC board or hosts PCB.

PCB further highlighted that such a statement could lead to Pakistan pulling out of the 2023 World Cup in India and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.

"The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The comments were made without any



discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications," PCB said.

"After having presided over the ACC meeting during which Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with an overwhelming support and response from the ACC Board Members, Shah’s statement of shifting of the ACC Asia Cup has clearly been made unilaterally. This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed in September 1983 – a united Asian cricket body to safeguard the interests of the its Members and organise, develop, and promote the game of cricket in Asia.

"The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities, and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.

"The PCB has to date not received any official communication or clarification from the ACC on the statement of the ACC President. As such, the PCB has now requested the Asian Cricket Council to convene an emergency meeting of its Board as soon as practically possible to discuss this important and sensitive matter," the statement added.