India says NO to playing Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan, tournament to be held at neutral venue

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rejected the possibility of the team playing in Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup. As the BCCI chose a new president in World Cup winner Roger Binny, secretary Jay Shah was quoted as saying that the team won’t be travelling to Pakistan next year for Asia Cup.

Jay Shah said that the cup will be on a neutral venue. He said that the decision on “permission of our team visiting Pakistan” remains with the government and refused to make a specific comment. 

“We'll have Asia Cup 2023 at a neutral venue. It's the govt which decides over the permission of our team visiting Pakistan so we won't comment on that but for the 2023 Asia Cup, it is decided that the tournament will be held at a neutral venue,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah was quoted as saying by ANI.

The news comes days ahead of the high-voltage encounter between India and Pakistan at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia on October 23.

On the 2025 Championship trophy which is also due to be hosted by Pakistan, Shah said that the venue is still undecided. "The venue for the 2025 Championship trophy is still to be decided, we will comment on that when it is decided. We are getting good earnings from our Media rights. Our motive is domestic players should get more benefits as our earnings are increasing," he added.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series in more than 10 years. India has not visited Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008. The two arch-rivals only lock horns in ICC’s world tournaments and Asia Cup continental tournament.

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