File photo of meeting between India and Pakistan©AFP
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi on Friday cast fresh doubts on their participation in India’s ODI World Cup, saying it is “subject to government approval”, leaving the ICC in trouble before it schedule for the mega event is finalized. Sethi’s comments came after every stakeholder, including Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Jay Shah, agreed to host the upcoming Asia Cup in a hybrid model as suggested by the PCB chief. “As far as India and Pakistan are concerned, neither the PCB nor the BCCI can make decisions. Only the respective governments can make decisions,” Sethi said at a press conference.
“It’s our government that has to decide, just like when it comes to India, it’s their government that decides when they’re going to play. There’s no point in asking us if we’ll play in Ahmedabad.”
“When the time comes, it will first be decided whether we go or not, then the government will decide where we go. Our decision will be based on these two important conditions,” he added.
The hybrid model was proposed because the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) had made it clear that it would not send its team to Pakistan due to the longstanding geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
The approval of the Asia Cup schedule also meant that Pakistan would travel to India for the ODI World Cup in October-November. The arch-rivals are expected to meet on October 15 at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
It is understood that after ICC CEO Geoff Allardice and Chairman Greg Barclay visited Karachi last month to meet Sethi, it was decided that Pakistan will not set any conditions for participation in the World Cup, provided four Asian Cup matches are held in the country if they have the hosting rights.
Sethi further said, “We also told the ICC that if our government investigates the security considerations and gives us permission, we will come and play in India. If they don’t give, how can we come and play in India?” Even if the government gives us permission, we have to look at the venues and decide where to play. That will come later. First, the government must give us the yes. It should tell us whether we can go or not.” The Asia Cup will be held from August 31 to September 17, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka hosting four and nine matches respectively.
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