Pakistan to not withdraw from hosting Asia Cup: Najam Sethi

Lahore: Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Najam Aziz Sethi said that PCB has a blunt position that Pakistan will not withdraw from hosting Asia Cup 2023.

Talking to a private news channel, he said that the decision taken for the Asia Cup will have an impact on the World Cup as well.

Najam stated: “If India will play the Asia Cup matches in a third country, then the hybrid model will be practiced for Pakistan in the World Cup as well,” adding that we have told India that our government and people support our position. If you cannot come to Pakistan, how can we go there.

The chairman further said that there is a red line from our side, whether India comes to Pakistan to play the Asia Cup or plays in a third country, Pakistan will lose a billion rupee due to the boycott of the Asia Cup.

“While there is a possibility that the relations with International Cricket Council (ICC) will be affected due to the refusal to go to India in the World Cup”.

Sethi continued that India had been bluntly told that if government is forbidding them to go to Pakistan and play, then give written evidence.

He added that Indian cricket board has failed to provide any concrete evidence on the government's denial. However, we earn good enough money from Pakistan Super League (PSL) now that ICC loss can be recovered.