MUMBAI: “You don’t visit me, I don’t visit you.” That appears to be the compromise formula that is being worked out between the all powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board. The imbroglio arose after the BCCI refused to play ball on the matter of the India team visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, which the PCB is hosting.
As per reports coming out of both countries, it has been proposed to hold India’s Asia Cup matches and Pakistan’s World Cup (which BCCI is hosting) matches at neutral venues.
At the Asian Cricket Council meeting held in Dubai, Pakistan presented a new formula for the Asia Cup, according to which India’s matches of the Asia Cup should be played in a third country while the matches of the other teams are played in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s The News, quoting official sources reports that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are being considered for Pakistan’s World Cup matches. Sources say that under this formula, not only the Asia Cup and the World Cup.
Earlier, ESPNcricinfo had reported that the Asia Cup is likely to be played in Pakistan with another overseas venue to host India games. Both BCCI and PCB, after an initial standoff, are moving swiftly towards brokering a resolution which could have both teams playing their tournament matches against each other outside Pakistan.
The overseas venue is not confirmed but the UAE, Oman, Sri Lanka and even England are potential contenders to host five matches including at least two India-Pakistan contests, the cricket website had reported.
India and Pakistan have been grouped together along with a qualifier in the six-nation Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in the first half of September this year and in a 50-over format. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are part of the other group. A total of 13 matches will be played across 13 days including the final. As per the format for the 2022 Asia Cup, the top two teams from each group advance to the Super 4s and the top two teams then contest the final. Therefore, the possibility of India and Pakistan playing three times remains.
ESPNcricinfo further reports that a small working group has been formed with the brief of creating a schedule and travel plan agreeable to all participating countries as well as the broadcaster before a final call is taken. The plan will also be taken to their individual governments before a formal schedule is worked out.
