'World doesn't run on ideologies and principles anymore'- Ex-PCB chief lashes out on Indian Cricket Board over Asia Cup '23 venue issue

Khaled Mahmood lashes out over Asia Cup row (Source: Twitter)

The battle between India and Pakistan over conducting the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup is heating up every passing day. The venue for Asia Cup 2023 is yet to be finalised, but India’s stand has undoubtedly left their neighbours furious. In the latest meeting of the Asian Cricket Governing body in Bahrain, India has maintained its stance of not sending the Indian team to Pakistan to participate in the continental tournament.

As per reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board has threatened to pull their team out of the 50-over World Cup scheduled to happen in India later this year. Amidst the developments, ex-PCB chief Khaled Mahmood has lashed out, saying the International Governing body for Cricket must have intervened to narrow down the differences between the two cricketing nations. He further suggested that the Indian Cricket Board influences the International Cricket body.

The ex-PCB chief suggested PCB accept the proposal for a neutral venue

“The world doesn’t run on ideology and principles; else the International Governing body for Cricket should show their power and tell India, ‘who are you not to go and play Asia Cup in Pakistan?’ But India has a great influence on the International Cricket body,” Khaled said.

Moreover, Khaled also admitted that the PCB must accept the proposal to host the tournament at a neutral venue as the absence of the Indian team may mean reduced corporate sponsorships and viewership for the tournament.

“If we host Asia Cup without India and without their players, corporate sponsorship will all stop. The big money will stop. And it won’t be a glamorous tournament without them. It would be a weak tournament. We will also lose money,” Khaled added.

The battle between the two neighbouring nations began last year when Jay Shah, the President of the Asian Cricket Body and the secretary for the Indian Cricket Board, declared India’s decision not to send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Despite an effort to solve this in the meeting in Bahrain on Saturday, no significant progress was made.