ACC to hold board meeting on Feb 4 to discuss India-Pakistan cricket relations, upcoming Asia Cup

New Delhi: Asian Cricket Council to hold an executive meeting on February 4 in Bahrain on Pakistan Cricket Board’s request. The meeting is being held to discuss India’s participation as Pakistan, for now, is the host of the Men’s Asia Cup 2023. PCB chairman Najam Sethi said that during his visit to Dubai, he convinced the ACC members to hold the board meeting.

Talking to the media, Sethi said that there will also be an ICC meeting in March. He added that he does not want to reveal what will be the arguments in the meeting, but he hinted towards India and Pakistan cricket relations to be discussed.

The debates sparked when BCCI Secretary and ACC’s President Jay Shah announced that India will not participate in the Asia Cup being held in Pakistan, it will be shifted like it did in 2018. This led to a strong reaction from the then PCB chief Ramiz Raja who said that Pakistan also has other options, hinting about the team’s participation in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

Sethi also said that hosting the Asia Cup is important for them and this will also have an effect on the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Pakistan.

Pakistan, after being sort of blacklisted for security reasons, is trying to revive international cricket in the country. Teams like England and Australia touring there after years was a big boost for PCB, but India’s withdrawal or shift in the venue for the Asia Cup will again raise questions.