'Why give it to us in the first place?' - Ramiz Raja expresses disappointment over 2023 Asia Cup venue debate

An irate Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has said that the Asia Cup 2023 hosting rights should have never been awarded to Pakistan in the first place if India were not in a position to travel to the country.

The arch-rivals India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since the 2012/13 season and the Indian team had last visited the neighboring country for the 2008 Asia Cup. It was seemingly after the Mumbai terrorist attacks later that year that the cricketing relations have worsened between both countries.

I accept that India won't come because the government won't allow them to come: Ramiz Raja

"We've shown we can host great teams. I can understand issues relating to bilateral cricket, but the Asia Cup is a multi-nation tournament, almost as big as the World Cup for the Asian bloc,” said Ramiz Raja while speaking to BBC’s Test Match Special.

"Why give it to us in the first place and then make all those statements about India not travelling to Pakistan? I accept that India won't come because the government won't allow them to come - fine. But to take the Asia Cup away from the host on that basis isn't right," the PCB chief added.

"Both boards need to come to terms with whether we want to play each other or not. Pakistan is willing, but they quote political interference. You can't work when there is political interference. They quote the government doesn't allow it, so that kills the debate. There is no reason why India couldn't come to Pakistan and Pakistan go to India,” said the 1992 World Cup winner.

Upon his re-election as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the AGM on October 18, the very first thing that Jay Shah had said was moving the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup to a neutral venue as the Indian team could not travel to Pakistan. In reply, PCB boss Ramiz Raja said that even Pakistan would boycott both Asia Cup as well the next year’s ODI World Cup in India.