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PCB Chairman Najam Sethi (Source: Twitter)
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PCB Chairman Najam Sethi (Source: Twitter)The debate over the venues of this year's two major tournaments, the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup does not seem to be over any time soon. The Pakistan Cricket Board's proposal to host the Asia Cup 2023 in a hybrid model has reportedly been denied, and amid all the confusion, PCB chairman Najam Sethi has issued a new update, stating that England might be a possible venue for the Asian tournament.
Sethi said that as the host country, Pakistan has the option of deciding where the competition will be held. "England could be a possibility as a venue for the Asia Cup," the 74-year-old said in a conversation on Sports Hour.
It all started when the Indian Cricket Board confirmed that they would not be travelling to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, while the PCB responded by stating that their men will not be touring India for the 50-over World Cup later this year. Meanwhile, there were reports that India and Pakistan will clash in the World Cup on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
However, the PCB chief has expressed displeasure with the venue and blasted the Indian Cricket Board, claiming that India is indirectly telling Pakistan not to come for the World Cup. “When I heard that the Pakistan match was to be in Ahmedabad, I smiled and said to myself – ‘this is one way to make sure we don’t come to India’. I mean if you’d said Chennai or Kolkata, it might have made sense," he said in an interview with The Indian Express.
The real question is whether we will play in India or not: Sethi
The PCB devised a hybrid model for the Asia Cup and asked the Indian Cricket Board to adopt the same to ensure a smooth passage of play between the two nations. However, according to the latest reports, Pakistan's plan to have a neutral venue is set to be rejected by India and other member nations of the Asia Cricket Council (ACC).
Responding to this, Sethi said. "You are asking me whether we will play in Ahmedabad or not but I am telling you, the real question is whether we will play in India or not. We will play in India if India plays in Pakistan. But if India doesn't play in Pakistan, why should we play in India? So my solution was, let India vs Pakistan matches be played at neutral venue. That's all. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Here's how fans reacted to the reports:
PCB chief: Get up daily announce a venue for #AsiaCup2023 and go to sleep..
— Ajay 🇮🇳 ಅಜಯ್ (@YashFanAj) May 13, 2023
Asia cup in England and World cup on Mars...
— Basant Bhoruka 🇮🇳 (@SecularTweeteer) May 13, 2023
This man making every effort to organise Asia cup
— FitCricPol (@cri_fit) May 13, 2023
Please Bas Karo Bhai🙏... Condut of Asia Cup has more twists than any Indian Soap opera.
— Nagesh🇮🇳 (@Learner_Nagesh) May 13, 2023
PCB chairman nowadays pic.twitter.com/TYv3mXjV8G
— RoHitman (@_darsh45) May 13, 2023
Asia cup out of Asia?? 🙃
— theAnkIT ➐ (@AnkitVerma1131) May 13, 2023
— Vaibhav Arora (@Savage_vaibhav) May 13, 2023
The Asia cup is going to be played in Europe.. wowwww great 😂😂😂😂
— Dr. J. Dinesh Shankar 🦁 (@DrJDineshShank1) May 13, 2023
Then why it is Asia cup
— boon (@Akshay254749832) May 13, 2023
Why not eurosia cup
Asia Cup in England .... 😆
— Dino Marino (@DinooMarino) May 13, 2023
Then it should be called as Europe cup and not Asia cup.
— Naren VJ (@narenvj21) May 13, 2023