Despite reports that top BCCI officials including President Roger Binny and Vice President Rajeev Shukla will visit Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, it is unlikely. A senior BCCI official confirmed to InsideSport that it is not happening. Even ACC President Jay Shah, who is also BCCI Secretary, is likely to skip. But the official confirmed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has extended an invitation for Asia Cup 2023 which begins on August 30 in Multan.
“Yes, we have received an invitation from PCB. But at this point, it is unlikely that anybody is visiting. Not just players, even we as officials must have the Indian government’s permission to visit Pakistan. We have not got any clearance,” the senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
As per Geo News, Pakistan, PCB has invited Jay Shah besides Rajeev Shukla and Roger Binny for Asia Cup 2023. However, with strained diplomatic ties between the two nations, there has been no official visit between the two cricket boards. Apart from BCCI officials, the Pakistan Cricket Board has also invited Asian Cricket Council board members. The list of guests also includes ICC Chairman Greg Barclay and ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice.
BCCI vs PCB for Asia Cup 2023
Earlier, PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf told Pakistani media that he invited Jay Shah for Asia Cup 2023. However, soon after reports of that emerged, BCCI’s representative to ICC, Arun Dhumal, who is also chairman of IPL, refused.
“Our secretary met PCB head Zaka Ashraf and the Asia Cup schedule was finalised and it is on course as it was discussed earlier. There will be four games of league stage in Pakistan, followed by nine games in Sri Lanka, including both India versus Pakistan matches, and in case there is a third game if both teams play final,” Arun Dhumal told PTI.
In an interview with Express Tribune, Pakistan, Zaka Ashraf admitted that he did in fact invite Jay Shah. And Shah not only accepted the invitation, he also invited him back. PCB and BCCI officials met on the sidelines of the ICC meeting in Durban to discuss Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023 amid tension.
“I got to know that Jay Shah is the Secretary General of BCCI. When I went to South Africa, I offered to meet and talk. So we sat down for a conversation, and it went smoothly. Jay Shah gave his point of view, and I also in exchange reciprocated equally well. I invited him to the opening of the Asia Cup. He promised that he’d definitely attend it. Conversely, he also invited me to the World Cup matches in India; I assured him of my presence over there,” Ashraf said.
Jay Shah to attend IND vs PAK in Kandy
However, Jay Shah apart from Roger Binny and Rajeev Shukla will be present in India vs Pakistan match in Kandy on September 2. Even though Pakistan is the official host, most of the matches will be in Sri Lanka.
PCB and BCCI officials will also discuss last minute arrangements for World Cup 2023. Pakistan team will come to India on September 23-24.
India Cricket Team is currently in pre-Asia Cup camp in Alur, Bengaluru. The team will leave for Sri Lanka on August 31.
Asia Cup 2023 Schedule – Revised
| Date | Venue | Match | Stage | Match Timing/Result |
| 6 Sep | Lahore | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Super 4 | 3:00 PM IST (Pak win by 7 wickets) |
| 9 Sep | Colombo | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | Super 4 | 3:00 PM IST |
| 10 Sep | Colombo | India vs Pakistan | Super 4 | 3:00 PM IST |
| 11 Sep | Colombo | Reserve Day | (Ind won by 228 runs) | |
| 12 Sep | Colombo | India vs Sri Lanka | Super 4 | (India won by 41 runs) |
| 14 Sep | Colombo | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Super 4 | (Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets) |
| 15 Sep | Colombo | India vs Bangladesh | Super 4 | 3:00 PM IST |
| 17 Sep | Colombo | Final | 3:00 PM IST | |
| 18 Sep | Colombo | Reserve Day |
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