PCB Chairman Najam Sethi gives an update on India's stance on Pakistan hosting Asia Cup 2023

Najam Sethi, Jay Shah (Source: Twitter)

Pakistan Cricket Board and Indian Cricket Board have been in a verbal battle since Pakistan were awarded the hosting rights of the 2023 Asia Cup. Indian Cricket Board, Secretary, Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has clearly stated that India will not tour Pakistan for the tournament. Temperatures between the two cricket boards soared when former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja threatened to pull out of the ODI World Cup in retaliation to India’s decision.

However, Najam Sethi, who was re-appointed to replace Raja as PCB chief, has now given a major update on the matter. Amid the Asia Cup row, Sethi revealed the date of the ACC meeting, and also shed light on the stance of the Indian Cricket Board.

“Finally, we have a date now to meet ACC officials. I will attend ACC's meeting on February 4 in Bahrain. I am not sure about our stance for now; I am keeping it close to my chest and will decide at the meeting. But, I can assure you that it will be for the betterment of Pakistan cricket," Sethi said during a press conference on Tuesday.

In October, after Pakistan won the hosting rights for the tournament, there were speculations that India might travel to Pakistan for the first time in over a decade. However, Jay Shah’s statement made it clear there will be a change in the venue which left PCB furious.

They don’t want India to play in Pakistan: Najam Sethi

Sethi also gave an update on fresh demand by the Indian Cricket Board on the row, saying that they are willing to host Pakistan for the World Cup, but are not willing to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

"Indian Cricket Board wants Pakistan to travel to India, but they don’t want India to play in Pakistan. This is not something new for us," he added.

The two nations last played in a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for ODI and T20I series. Pakistan managed to beat India in the ODI series by 2-1 while the T20I series ended in a draw by 1-1.