Former India opener Aakash Chopra has guaranteed Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup in India in 2023. This follows reports that the PCB threatened to boycott the ICC event if India did not participate in the Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan.
Aakash Chopra further stated that he is willing to guarantee in writing that things will go as planned by the BCCI because the Asia Cup is a much smaller tournament than the World Cup.
Pakistan should host the Asia Cup in UAE: Chopra
On the show Aakashvani on JioCinema, Chopra elaborated
“Asia Cup might not happen at all if India don’t participate, there’s no chance. The Asia Cup is a minor tournament compared to the World Cup. Skipping the World Cup means Pakistan will end up forgoing a massive amount of revenue that ICC shares (with the participating nations). It’s a case of who blinks first. So I’m not taking this seriously. I feel the Asia Cup 2023 will be held and at a neutral venue.”
He further added that BCCI has a stronghold over the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). As they take no money from the continental body while other nations earn money from it.
“India has been playing the role of a big brother in ACC. If it has been said that the team might not travel to Pakistan, then I can give you this in writing that India won’t. The Asia Cup will also be held at a neutral venue. And Pakistan will also definitely come to play in the World Cup (in India)… Take all this from in writing. All these things are guaranteed,”
he further added.
Last year’s Asia Cup in T20 format was also held in the UAE, with Sri Lanka serving as the host. A similar strategy could be employed for this year’s tournament with Pakistan as the host.
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