Pakistan could lose USD 3 million if they withdraw from competing in Asia Cup 2023: Najam Sethi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi stated that if the country did not participate in the 2023 Asia Cup, the board could lose roughly USD 3 million in revenue. According to the PCB chairman, 80 percent of the revenue that is to be earned by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is expected to come from the match between India and Pakistan.

However, Pakistan's hosting of the continental championship is not yet fixed since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that they would not participate in the tournament if it was held in Pakistan in its entirety, owing to security concerns. Notably, the event is set to take place in early September. 

Sethi later concurred with BCCI's demand for a hybrid format for hosting the Asia Cup, in which, India's matches would be played in another country. He stated that if Pakistan was to lose its hosting rights, it would not participate in the event. He also stated that Pakistan was willing to absorb the economic loss since it was a matter of principle. 

"We have made it very clear that unless the Asia Cup is held on a hybrid model like we have proposed, that is India playing its matches at an offshore venue and Pakistan hosting the remaining games at home we will not accept any other schedule and neither play," Sethi said.

Security not a concern for India, says Sethi

Sethi went on to say that security was no justification for India to not play in Pakistan and further mentioned that they had asked India to provide written proof if their national government was not allowing them to play in Pakistan. He added that countries like Australia, England, and New Zealand had no problem playing in Pakistan and thus, India shouldn't have any problem either.

"We will not lose our hosting rights. Security is no excuse for them now and we have told them if their government is not giving them clearance to play in Pakistan show us some written proof of this. When all other teams including Australia, England, New Zealand are playing in Pakistan without any issues there should be no security concerns for India to tour Pakistan," he added.