PCB invites Jay Shah to 2023 Asia Cup opening match in Multan, but will he go amid hostile relationship?

Jay Shah had refused to send India to participate the Asia Cup in Pakistan.

PCB invites Jay Shah to 2023 Asia Cup opening match in Multan, but will he go amid hostile relationship?

Jay Shah (image via Adda247)

The Pakistan Cricket Board has invited BCCI Secretary and ACC President, Jay Shah, to Pakistan, to attend the opening match of the Asia Cup. Pakistan will face Nepal in the Multan Cricket Stadium on 30th August and the tournament will go on for 18 days. The competition will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with India playing all their matches in Sri Lanka.

Since India and Pakistan gained Independence, there has been political tensions between the both countries. Both countries have a hostile relationship which has caused 4 wars since 1947. The two countries last played a bilateral series in 2012 and since then have only met in ICC and ACC competitions. They last played a Test series in 2007, which India had won 1-0. 

YouTube video

When the ACC announced that Pakistan would host the Asia Cup, BCCI straightaway refused to participate in the competition due to the relations between the two countries. EX-PCB chairman, Najam Sethi had then proposed a hybrid model, in which Pakistan and a neutral country would host the competition, but the PCB refused this model. But later Pakistan agreed to the model, with Sri Lanka being the 2nd Host. India will play all their group and knockout matches in Sri Lanka, with the remaining participants travelling between the two host countries.

Related: BCCI Secretary Jay Shah won’t travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023; terms reports in Pakistan media “plain miscommunication”

Indian squad for the Asia Cup to be announced soon

India Cricket Team 1200x900
Team India (Source: ProBatsman)

ANI reported that Rohit Sharma will meet with the selectors on Monday to finalise the squad for the Asia Cup. KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah could make their comebacks in the ODI squad. Pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj will return to the squad. They were rested in the ODI series against West Indies. 

India last won the Asia Cup in 2018. In the 2022 Asia Cup India were knocked out in the Super 4 stage. India aims to win the Asia cup, with the ODI World Cup barely 2 weeks after the 2023 Asia Cup final. India will play Australia in a three match ODI Series after the Asia Cup finishes.

In case you missed!