PCB has denied the reports of Government Clearances for the teams participating in the Asia Cup 2023. The statement came after the issuance of a report that suggested that all the participating countries in the Asia Cup 2023 need to get clearance from their respective government to travel to Pakistan for the marquee event.
On Saturday the Asian Cricket Council conducted an emergency board meeting to decide on Pakistan’s fate over hosting rights for Asia Cup 2023. however, they couldn’t come to a decision over the hosting rights & the topic got postponed until March 2023.
However, a report in ESPNcricinfo stated that all the participating nations of Asia will have to take permission from their government to travel to Pakistan for the marquee event. But PCB denies the statement giving the example of a recent tour of Pakistan by Sri Lanka & Bangladesh.
The report published by Cricinfo stated that all ACC members have to seek permission from their respective governments on whether their teams can travel to Pakistan or not. But rather PCB issued a statement stating that no such matters were discussed in the meeting & no members have indicated their intention to seek government clearance for playing in Pakistan.
“Sri Lanka has recently visited Pakistan in 2017 and 2019, while Bangladesh has toured Pakistan in 2020. In the 2023-2027 Future Tours Programme (FTP), which has been agreed upon and announced by all ICC Members, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have confirmed their tours to Pakistan,” Pakistan Cricket Board wrote in a statement.
Asia Cup 2023 likely to be conducted at a Neutral Venue
Meanwhile, several reports have claimed that Asian Cup 2023 would be conducted in a neutral venue as India is not willing to visit Pakistan under any situation for the marquee event. There have been reports that Pakistan is clear on its stance of hosting Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan further claimed to pull out of the ICC World Cup 2023 in India if they lose the hosting rights of the Asia Cup 2023.
The matter is taking worse turns with each passing day. Both nations are in no mood to comprise on their stance which is only resulting in increased chaos surrounding the hosting rights for Asia Cup 2023. Which nation’s stance will prevail & who will have to compromise? all questions will be answered in the next ACC meeting in March 2023.
Also read, WPL 2023: Mumbai Ropes In Charlotte Edwards, Jhulan Goswami In Coaching Staff