Asia Cup 2023: India vs Pakistan Cricket – BCCI has found support in Harbhajan Singh in not sending India Cricket Team to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board are in loggerheads over the country’s hosting rights of Asia Cup in September. But with the recent blast in Karachi, the former India spinner has backed BCCI in the debate. As things stand, Asian Cricket Council will meet next month to take a call on Asia Cup venue. Follow Asia Cup LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“I think the BCCI is right. We shouldn’t be sending our team to Pakistan. Even recently, some firing happened next to Karachi stadium. You don’t want to send your team to a place where anything can happen at any time. Any place which can be a security issue for players shouldn’t be considered,” Harbhajan Singh told Indian Express.
Asia Cup 2023: Harbhajan Singh backs BCCI’s decision to not send team to Pakistan for Asia Cup, says ‘You don’t want to send a team where anything can happen anytime’
In the recently held ACC meeting, both BCCI and PCB officials had a spat over the hosting rights. BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the ACC President, had publicly announced that Asia Cup will be moved out of Pakistan.
With Pakistan Cricket Board and the country in financial turmoil, it did not sit well. Previous PCB chief Ramiz Raja and current PCB chairman Najam Sethi both lashed out at Shah for his remarks. However, BCCI has made it abundantly clear that Rohit Sharma & Co won’t visit Pakistan without government approval.
As per information available with InsideSport, PCB and ACC are in talks to split hosting rights. While Pakistan will host all other matches in Pakistan, UAE will host IND vs PAK matches. However, it is highly likely that UAE will host all the games.
Asia Cup 2023: Harbhajan Singh backs BCCI’s decision to not send team to Pakistan for Asia Cup, says ‘You don’t want to send a team where anything can happen anytime’
PTI had reported earlier this month that UAE with three venues — Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah — are the favourites to host the tournament but a decision has been withheld for the time being.
“A shift of venue has been postponed till March. But be rest assured that with India not going to Pakistan, the tournament will have to be shifted,” a senior BCCI official privy to the development had told PTI.
Meanwhile, ACC is also facing heat from broadcast partner Star Sports. As per the current agreement, Asia Cup must ensure a minimum of two India vs Pakistan matches. If either of the team pulls out, the broadcaster will face huge financial losses. Hence, the broadcaster has threatened to cancel the deal if the India or Pakistan pull out.
“It is not possible to have the Asia Cup without Pakistan and India matches. This is the understanding on which the agreement is based. Without Pakistan and India matches, the broadcasting agreement goes awry,” a source said PTI.
Asia Cup 2023: Harbhajan Singh backs BCCI’s decision to not send team to Pakistan for Asia Cup, says ‘You don’t want to send a team where anything can happen anytime’
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