Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi believes that the Men in Green should travel to India for this year’s ICC World Cup.
The mega event is likely to be played in October and November but the official schedule is yet to be announced.
“Pakistan team should tour India for the World Cup. This will send a positive message about Pakistan supporting cricket,” said Afridi.
He also spoke about the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 saga, which has led to uncertainty about Pakistan hosting the event.
“Asia Cup should take place in Pakistan. I think cricket and politics should be kept separate,” said Afridi.
“There should be no further delay with regards to final decision on the Asia Cup,” he added.
It must be noted that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and is keen on ensuring that the event is held at a neutral venue. However, the PCB is not interested in hosting the event outside Pakistan since it would affect its efforts with regards to the return of international cricket in the country.
The BCCI is also unlikely to accept the hybrid model proposed by the PCB, which would have given India the option to play their matches at neutral venue.
Earlier, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Najam Sethi, called for a rational approach to solve the looming crisis that threatens the successful hosting of the Asia Cup and the country's participation in the ODI World Cup this year.
Talking to the media on the occasion of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) meeting, Sethi said the Pakistan team’s chances of traveling to India for the ODI World Cup are low.
“In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to compete in the Asia Cup, chances are there that the Pakistan government would not allow the Men in Green to cross the borders for their World Cup participation. In that case, cricket will be the ultimate sufferer,” Sethi said.
“There should be a middle way to solve problems that surely threaten the smooth hosting of ICC and ACC events. In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the government will not allow us to travel to India to figure in the World Cup matches,” he added.
- Shahid Afridi