'India has a great influence on the ICC' - Former PCB Chief on ongoing Asia cup row

Tensions between India and Pakistan mount over the upcoming Asia Cup hosting and venue issues, after the ACC meeting in Bahrain held on February 4, 2023. As per reports, Pakistan won't travel to India for the ODI World Cup this year, if India doesn't travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. The current PCB President, Najam Sethi, cleared the current stand of the Board regarding this issue and a final decision hasn't been taken as yet.

interestingly enough, former Pakistan all-rounder, Abdur Razzaq, had recently voiced his opinion in the favor of Asia cup being shifted out of Pakistan. On a pragmatic note, Razzaq opined that shifting the venue could be move for promoting the game out of regular venues. The key reason he gave was that on most occasions India versus Pakistan games happen only in ICC events.

Meanwhile, BCCI president, Roger Binny, cleared his views on the matter. Binny said that it is not just the decision of the board but subject to getting the mandatory travel clearance from the Goverment of India.  

Former PCB chief slams ICC for keeping mum on the matter

After several former cricketers, now the former PCB chairman, Khalid Mahmood, spoke about why the ICC didn't intervene in this matter. He said, “The world doesn’t run on ideology and principles; else ICC should show their power and tell India ‘who are you not to go and play Asia Cup in Pakistan?’ But India has a great influence on ICC.”

Mahmood also spoke about not having India at the Asia Cup might be a big loss for Pakistan. “If We host Asia Cup without India and without their players, corporate sponsorship will all stop. The big money will stop. And it won’t be a glamorous tournament without them. It would be a weak tournament. We will also lose money," he added.

Not having India at the Asia Cup would be a big loss for Pakistan as well as other members of the ACC competing in the tournament. The nations won't be able to generate the desired revenue. India's presence in the tournament would bring in millions of viewers as well as a lot of sponsors would be willing to take their bet on the Asia Cup. 

Amid the political tension between the two countries, which adds fuel to the fire, it will be interesting to see what decision is taken by March 2023, as per the ACC chairman and BCCI secretary, Jay Shah.

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