'Asia Cup humse leke'... Ramiz Raja sends a strong message to India on the Asia Cup controversy

Ramiz Raja (Source: Twitter)

Ramiz Raja the chairman of the PCB has talked once again about the issue as he said that, since Pakistan are going to host the 2023 Asia Cup, they will not play in the 2023 Asia Cup if the multilateral tournament is moved to a neutral venue. It will not affect Pakistan even if Sri Lanka and Bangladesh pull out of the tournament.

Here is what Raja said on the issue, “ACC(Asian Cricket Council) gave us the right to host the Asia Cup, uske bad India kehta hai hum nahi ayenge. To main maan sakta hu ki unki ek political unki hai…to nahi aye. Magar Asia Cup humse leke neutral venue pe jana…ye nai hone wala.” (ACC gave us the rights to host the Asia Cup, and I understand Indian Cricket Board has some politics involved in it, so they can choose to opt out. But taking the tournament from us and moving into a neutral venue is not going to happen)

We can do whatever we want as hosts-  Ramiz Raja

When asked if Pakistan would consider hosting the Asia Cup along with other teams he put out a straight reply, “Nai kyu nai kar sakte. Magar hum to available hain na. Ye to humara right hai, ya to hum kuch aisi cheez puch rahe ho ki hume mili nai ho aur zor laga rahe ho."(Yes, why not? We are available as a host. We are not asking for something which wasn’t given to us.).

When Raja was questioned about the consequences of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh pulling out. He hit back by saying Pakistan will also not take part in the Asia Cup if it is moved out of Pakistan. “To wo nai ate to nahi aye(if they don’t want to come, so be it), but if this (Asia Cup) goes out to we will pull out.” He added.

Notably, in the last few editions, the multilateral tournament has not been hosted in either India or Pakistan but has been played in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates. The continental tournament happens under the watch of the Asian Cricket Council. The tournament happens alternatively in T20 and One Day format.