Islamabad, 30 March 2023 (GNP): Najam Sethi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee, spoke at the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) meeting and expressed his worries that, if India refused to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the Pakistani government might not permit the national team to play in the World Cup 2023.
“In the event that India declines to visit Pakistan to compete in the Asia Cup, there is a potential that the Pakistani authorities won’t permit the Men in Green to cross the border to participate in the World Cup. The ultimate loser in such scenario will be cricket”, according to Sethi.
“The PSL has given us financial justification and solidified our position. If there are any financial losses, both Boards will be responsible for them”, he added.
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Najam Sethi offers a fresh approach to the Indo-Pak cricket dispute. A hybrid concept that enables India to play games at neutral sites ensures successful hosting of ICC and ACC events.
“We have previously presented the ACC members with the concept of a hybrid format, under which India would be free to play its matches at any neutral site of their choosing. We would stick to the same method when it comes to Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup in October 2021,” he said.
Sethi’s remarks came amid ongoing hostilities between Pakistan and India, which have curtailed recent bilateral cricket matches between the two countries.
