India will not visit Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who made the announcement on Tuesday. He said it following the 91st annual general meeting of BCCI.
Jay Shah, who also serves as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has come under fire for taking Pakistan's hosting rights without the Pakistan Cricket Board's knowledge or agreement (PCB).
In recent years, the two teams have enjoyed positive relationships and cooperative games. Shah's remarks, meanwhile, appear to have damaged such ties as a number of former Pakistani cricket players held signs calling for Pakistan to boycott the 2023 World Cup.
Former Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar have stated that if India can boycott visiting Pakistan, Pakistan could similarly boycott the 2023 World Cup. India will host the ODI World Cup.
The BCCI's decision could affect the outcome of future Indo-Pak matches in ICC competitions, according to a statement from the PCB.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan joined the boycott bandwagon and said, “Since Jay Shah has fired a bullet, I want PCB to take a strong stance. It should not matter if India visits our country for the Asia Cup or not. We should be firm in our stance. We will not agree to host Asia Cup at a neutral venue. Further, consider not travelling to India for the ODI World Cup.”
Meanwhile, former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal requested PCB to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup tie against India in Melbourne on October 23.
“Jay Shah should have kept politics away from sports. Pakistan should host the Asia Cup, and if it does not happen, Pakistan should not play the match against India on October 23.”