Asia Cup 2023 lands in jersey-related controversy ahead of iconic IND vs PAK clash

Ahead of India's iconic clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023, the tournament finds itself in controversy. Days after the tournament's commencement, cricket fans and former players underlined a massive issue with teams' jerseys during the tournament. It's worth noting that in this year's Asia Cup jersey, there is no mention of the host nation along with the Asia Cup logo.

Pakistan kicked off the tournament against Nepal in Multan on August 30, securing a resounding victory. However, attention quickly shifted to the team jerseys, where the Asia Cup logo was prominently displayed on the right side without the name of the host country. This anomaly wasn't confined to Pakistan alone, as during the Group B match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the absence of the host nation's name on their jerseys was equally evident.

Images of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh's jerseys swiftly went viral on social media. It drew attention and disappointment from fans and former cricketers. Some fans observed and recalled that Sri Lanka's name had been featured beneath the Asia Cup logo in the previous edition, even when the tournament was held in the UAE.

Notably, Pakistan holds the official hosting rights this year, despite the tournament adopting a hybrid model with matches played in Sri Lankan locations. Speaking about the same former Pakistan cricketer, Rashid Latif called it unacceptable. He says, "This is unacceptable, and it is the Asian Cricket Council that must explain this oversight since the Asia Cup is their property."

"ACC decided not to use the host country's name", PCB issues clarification

As the issue escalated, the Pakistan Cricket Board tried to clear the air. PCB, in a press release, informed that after last year's tournament, the Asian Cricket Council decided not to use the host country's name beneath the logo of the Asia Cup. However, their clarification went in vain, as former cricketers and fans are unhappy with the omission of Pakistan's name from the jerseys of participating nations.

Former Pakistan batter Mohsin Khan questioned the ACC's decision and said, "It makes no sense at all. Then why has the ACC given the host country’s name on the logos for their Asian Emerging Nations Cup or their Asian under-16 event held in July in Malaysia?" He further asked the ACC to clarify the situation. He said, "Given the current scenario between the two countries, perhaps the Indian Cricket Board officials felt it would be embarrassing for the Indian team players to wear kits with the name of Pakistan on the official Asia Cup logo."