An important decision was taken at the BCCI's 91st Annual General Meeting yesterday in Mumbai that India will take a stand to shift next year's Asia Cup from Pakistan to a neutral venue.
It was concluded in the meeting that India will not be traveling to Pakistan to play Asia Cup in 2023. India will either ask to transfer or to shift the tournament to a neutral venue.
Reactions have started to boil up from Pakistan. Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has questioned the BCCI's attitude regarding the issue and has considered this step as a relationship spoiler between the two nations.
Former Pak Captain tweeted. "When excellent comradery between the 2 sides in the past 12 months has been established that has created a good feel-good factor in the 2 countries, why BCCI Secy will make this statement on the eve of the T20 World Cup match? Reflects lack of cricket administration experience in India".
The BCCI Secretary and ACC Chairman Jay Shah after the Annual General Meeting stated that "The Asia Cup 2023 will be held at a neutral venue. I am saying this as ACC President. We
Shah added that "We will play at a neutral venue", BCCI earlier put up an option to travel to Pakistan but things were quite clear after the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting.
Pakistan is scheduled to host the Asia Cup in 2023 whereas the ODI World Cup will take place in India in the same year.
The only option seems to be the shifting of the tournament to UAE, a country that already hosted the Asia Cup in 2018 (shifted from India) and 2022 (shifted from Sri Lanka).