Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistani cricketer, has shown support for the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision against the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Shah, who is the secretary of BCCI and the ACC President, unilaterally announced that team India will not visit Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. His decision was based on personal interest since no talks have been held either with the hosts or with other members of the ACC.
The reports since then have been reviving, hinting that Asia Cup 2023 will either commence without India or Pakistan will opt out as an ACC member. However, with the official PCB update, it is clear that the Pakistani board is disappointed with Shah's call.
In their response, the PCB revealed that they have written to ACC for further assistance. And Shahid Afridi is all in praise for the wise decision. He earlier called BCCI's call lack of administration.
The board's statements read,
“The PCB has noted with surprise and disappointment yesterday’s comments made by the ACC President Mr Jay Shah with regards to shifting of next year’s Asia Cup to a neutral venue. The comments were made without any discussion or consultation with the Board of the Asian Cricket Council or the Pakistan Cricket Board (event host) and without any thoughts towards their long-term consequences and implications.
“After having presided over the ACC meeting during which Pakistan was awarded the ACC Asia Cup with an overwhelming support and response from the ACC Board Members, Mr Shah’s statement of shifting of the ACC Asia Cup has clearly been made unilaterally. This is contrary to the philosophy and spirit for which the Asian Cricket Council was formed in September 1983 – a united Asian cricket body to safeguard the interests of the its Members and organise, develop, and promote the game of cricket in Asia.
“The overall impact of such statements have the potential to split the Asian and international cricketing communities, and can impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.
“The PCB has to date not received any official communication from the ACC on the statement of the ACC President. As such, the PCB has written to the Asian Cricket Council to convene an emergency meeting of its Board as soon as practically possible on this important and sensitive matter.”
According to Afridi,
I like @TheRealPCB statement on the Asia Cup. This is how mature, sensible and professional organisations handle sensitive and important matters.
I like @TheRealPCB statement on the Asia Cup. This is how mature, sensible and professional organisations handle sensitive and important matters. https://t.co/4aeh5IIV8e
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 19, 2022
