'Too hot in Dubai they said' - Najam Sethi's scathing attack on ACC after India-Pakistan washout in Asia Cup 2023

Cricket fanatics from all over the world were left disappointed after the India vs Pakistan game in Asia Cup 2023 got washed out on Saturday, September 02. The rain-marred match first saw two interruptions during India’s innings and later on, Pakistan couldn’t come out to bat in the second innings due to the inclement weather. As a result, the match held at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele was called off and the two teams shared points in the Group A fixture.

Following the disappointing end to the much-anticipated contest, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Najam Sethi ripped apart the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for not accepting his request to play the tournament in UAE. Sethi further stated that poor excuses of excessive heat in Dubai were given to shift the tournament to Sri Lanka.

Sethi took to X and wrote, “How disappointing! Rain mars the greatest contest in cricket. But this was forecast. As PCB Chair, I urged the ACC to play in UAE but poor excuses were made to accommodate Sri Lanka. Too hot in Dubai, they said. But it was as hot when the Asia Cup was played there last time in Sep 2022 or when IPL was played there in April 2014 and Sep 2020. Politics over sport. Unforgivable!.”

How disappointing! Rain mars the greatest contest in cricket. But this was forecast. As PCB Chair, I urged the ACC to play in UAE but poor excuses were made to accommodate Sri Lanka. Too hot in Dubai, they said. But it was as hot when the Asia Cup was played there last time in…

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) September 2, 2023

Notably, the Asia Cup 2022 and the IPL were played in the T20 format in UAE with the majority of the games taking place in the evening under lights to save players from playing under scorching heat during daytime. Apart from Sethi, former India cricketer Virender Sehwag also expressed his disappointment on the washout in his own hilarious style. Sehwag drew a rib-tickling comparison with India’s favourite snacks ‘Tea and pakodas’ and stated that the snacking item would’ve been a better choice during the rainy season instead of hosting Asia Cup.

Sehwag took to X and wrote, “Baarish ke time toh Chai Pakode rakhte hain yaar. Asia cup bhi rakh diya.”

Baarish ke time toh Chai Pakode rakhte hain yaar.
Asia cup bhi rakh diya. #BHAvsPAK

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 2, 2023

Shaheen Afridi shone with four-fer

Coming back to India’s innings, after opting to bat first, the Men in Blue were in disarray with Pakistan seamers breathing fire under overcast conditions. Shaheen Afridi (4/35) was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan as he reduced India to 66/4 at one stage along with Haris Rauf (3/58, 9 overs).

A massive 138-run stand between Ishan Kishan (82 off 81) and Hardik Pandya (87 off 90) took India to safe shores as they got all put for 266 in 48.5 overs. Following that, there was no more play possible and the game was called off due to incessant rain.