Will not send Indian team to Pakistan for 2023 Asia Cup: BCCI secretary Shah 

CHENNAI:  In what turned out to be a routine BCCI annual general body meeting where 1983 World Cup winner Roger Binny took over as the new president, secretary Jay Shah has revealed that India will not tour Pakistan for next year’s Asia Cup.

The decision, which comes just a few days before the two teams are set to face each other at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne, has added a bit of tension to the contest. Interestingly, there hasn’t been any official communication from the Indian government about the Asia Cup or sending the team to Pakistan.

The BCCI’s AGM to elect a new set of office-bearers went smoothly with Binny taking over the mantle from Sourav Ganguly also has new faces (see box). Shah is the only office-bearer, who will continue in his chair after being elected unopposed.

The big announcement from the AGM from an Indian perspective was the formal approval to conduct a women’s IPL, with details on the number of teams and the auction of franchises expected in the coming weeks.

Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the AGM, Binny who was the president of Karnataka State Cricket Association until recently, said his focus will be on the prevention of injuries and improving the quality of pitches in domestic cricket.

“We will look to improve on what we can do to reduce the injuries to players. Players getting frequently injured is a concern, and we wish to get to the bottom of it all and see how it can be changed for the better,” Binny said.

Speaking shortly afterwards, Shah revealed that the next edition of the Asia Cup would be hosted in a neutral venue. It is contrary to the decision taken in March by the Asian Cricket Council – also headed by Shah – where it was decided that the Asia Cup would be hosted by Pakistan.

“The Asia Cup 2023 will be held at a neutral venue. I am saying this as ACC President. We (India) can’t go there (to Pakistan), they can’t come here. In the past also, the Asia Cup has been played at a neutral venue,” Shah said.

Since 2013, India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series and even in the next FTP, both nations face each other only in ICC and ACC events. With international cricket returning to Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been keen on hosting the Asia Cup at home.

Although PCB is yet to respond formally on the issue, there are indications that PCB – which has the hosting rights for the next Asia Cup – will not agree to take the event to a neutral venue.

There are also talks that the PCB may even drop out of the Asia council as it has failed its basic purpose of uniting the teams from the region. Moreover, this also puts a question mark over Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 50-over World Cup to be played in India.

With the World Cup set to follow the Asia Cup, BCCI’s refusal to send the team to Pakistan means the neighbours will also explore their options. The issue will now reach the ICC’s doorstep. 

New office bearers of the BCCI
President: Roger Binny
Vice President: Rajeev Shukla
Secretary: Jay Shah
Joint Secretary: Devajit Saikia
Treasurer: Ashish Shelar

Two representatives for IPL GC

Arun Singh Dhumal  Avishek Dalmiya

CHENNAI:  In what turned out to be a routine BCCI annual general body meeting where 1983 World Cup winner Roger Binny took over as the new president, secretary Jay Shah has revealed that India will not tour Pakistan for next year’s Asia Cup. The decision, which comes just a few days before the two teams are set to face each other at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne, has added a bit of tension to the contest. Interestingly, there hasn’t been any official communication from the Indian government about the Asia Cup or sending the team to Pakistan. The BCCI’s AGM to elect a new set of office-bearers went smoothly with Binny taking over the mantle from Sourav Ganguly also has new faces (see box). Shah is the only office-bearer, who will continue in his chair after being elected unopposed. The big announcement from the AGM from an Indian perspective was the formal approval to conduct a women’s IPL, with details on the number of teams and the auction of franchises expected in the coming weeks. Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the AGM, Binny who was the president of Karnataka State Cricket Association until recently, said his focus will be on the prevention of injuries and improving the quality of pitches in domestic cricket. “We will look to improve on what we can do to reduce the injuries to players. Players getting frequently injured is a concern, and we wish to get to the bottom of it all and see how it can be changed for the better,” Binny said. Speaking shortly afterwards, Shah revealed that the next edition of the Asia Cup would be hosted in a neutral venue. It is contrary to the decision taken in March by the Asian Cricket Council – also headed by Shah – where it was decided that the Asia Cup would be hosted by Pakistan. “The Asia Cup 2023 will be held at a neutral venue. I am saying this as ACC President. We (India) can’t go there (to Pakistan), they can’t come here. In the past also, the Asia Cup has been played at a neutral venue,” Shah said. Since 2013, India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series and even in the next FTP, both nations face each other only in ICC and ACC events. With international cricket returning to Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been keen on hosting the Asia Cup at home. Although PCB is yet to respond formally on the issue, there are indications that PCB – which has the hosting rights for the next Asia Cup – will not agree to take the event to a neutral venue. There are also talks that the PCB may even drop out of the Asia council as it has failed its basic purpose of uniting the teams from the region. Moreover, this also puts a question mark over Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 50-over World Cup to be played in India. With the World Cup set to follow the Asia Cup, BCCI’s refusal to send the team to Pakistan means the neighbours will also explore their options. The issue will now reach the ICC’s doorstep.  New office bearers of the BCCI President: Roger Binny Vice President: Rajeev Shukla Secretary: Jay Shah Joint Secretary: Devajit Saikia Treasurer: Ashish Shelar Two representatives for IPL GC Arun Singh Dhumal  Avishek Dalmiya