Former PCB Chief Khaled Mahmood was in charge from 1998 to 1999.
After the ACC meeting in Bahrain on February 4, 2023, tensions between India and Pakistan have risen over the upcoming Asia Cup hosting and venue issues. According to reports, Pakistan will not visit India for the ODI World Cup this year if India does not visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup. The current PCB President, Najam Sethi, has cleared the Board’s current position on this issue, but no final decision has been made as of yet.
Surprisingly, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdur Razzaq recently expressed his support for the Asia Cup being moved out of Pakistan. On a more practical note, Razzaq believes that changing the venue could be a good way to get the game out of regular venues. The main reason he gave was that most India-Pakistan games take place only at ICC events.
Meanwhile, BCCI president Roger Binny clarified his position on the issue. Binny stated that the decision is subject to obtaining the mandatory travel clearance from the Government of India.
Former PCB chief blasts the ICC for remaining silent on the issue.
After several former cricketers spoke out, Khalid Mahmood, the former PCB chairman, explained why the ICC did not intervene in this case. “The world does not run on ideology and principles; otherwise, the ICC should demonstrate their power and tell India, ‘Who are you not to go and play Asia Cup in Pakistan?” he said. However, India wields considerable power within the ICC.”
Mahmood also stated that the absence of India from the Asia Cup would be a significant loss for Pakistan. “If We host Asia Cup without India and without their players, corporate sponsorship will all stop. The big money will come to an end. And without them, it won’t be a glamorous tournament. It’d be a bad tournament. “We’ll lose money as well,” he added.
The absence of India from the Asia Cup would be a significant setback for Pakistan and the other ACC members competing in the tournament. The countries will not be able to generate the required revenue. The presence of India in the tournament would attract millions of viewers, and many sponsors would be willing to place their bets on the Asia Cup.
Given the political tensions between the two countries, it will be interesting to see what decision is made by March 2023, according to ACC chairman and BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
