Srinagar: Former Pakistan great Shahid Afridi has made strong statement regarding ongoing BCCI vs PCB controversy over Asia Cup and upcoming World Cup 2023.
While Pakistan is the designated host of Asia Cup 2023, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head, last year said that India won’t be travelling to the country for the continental event.
Afridi has said that even ICC wont be able to do anything in front of BCCI.
Shahid Afridi was recently asked on Samaa TV about Ashwin’s comment, and an opinion was sought on whether it was time for Pakistan to give a strong response.
“If anyone is unable to stand on his own feet and then the decision to make strong calls is not easy. They have to look at plenty of things. India agar aankhe dikha raha hain (If India is showing attitude), or taking such strong stance, then they have made themselves that strong, hence they are being able to talk like this, otherwise they wouldn’t have the courage. At the end it’s making yourself strong and then take decisions..,” Afridi said.
“I have no idea, will India visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup? Will we boycott the ODI World Cup in India? But we need to take a stand at some point or the other. In this case ICC’s role becomes crucial, they should come forward. I think even ICC won’t be able to do anything in front of BCCI.”
Meanwhile veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently gave his take on the topic. Ashwin, in a video on his YouTube channel, doesn’t think it is possible for Pakistan to skip the ODI World Cup in India if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refuses to travel to their country for the Asia Cup.
“Asia Cup was supposed to take place in Pakistan. But, India has announced that if it takes place in Pakistan, then we won’t be participating. When we say Asia Cup won’t go to their place, they will say that they will also not come to our place,” Ashwin said. The finger-spinner played down Pakistan’s “ODI World Cup threat’, suggesting it is not possible for them to give that tournament a miss
But however, I think that is not possible,” Ashwin said of Pakistan’s claim of giving the 50-over World Cup a miss if India don’t travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.