Pak threatens World Cup pullout after Jay Shah announces Asia Cup at ‘neutral venue'

The Indian and Pakistan cricket boards clashed on Tuesday as BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced that the 2023 Asia Cup will be held at a neutral venue, causing the neighbours to threaten a boycott of next year's ODI World Cup. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has awarded Pakistan the hosting rights for the 2023 edition of the 50-over Asia Cup as a precursor to the marquee World Cup in India. Incidentally, Shah also serves as the head of the Asian Cricket Council. Before Tuesday's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai, notes circulated to BCCI members mentioned the issue of India playing the Asia Cup in Pakistan. After the AGM, Shah was quoted by numerous cricket websites as saying, "We have decided to play at a neutral venue." Also Read | Drug menace in Punjab: Two siblings in their 20s die due to overdose in Amritsar The fact that the continental event has already been moved to a neutral place was one of the reasons given for not playing in Pakistan. After the November 26 terrorist attack in Mumbai, India hasn't visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and the planned bilateral series in early 2009 was postponed as a result. The other reason given was the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, which prevented any foreign team from visiting the nation for more than ten years due to security concerns. Also Read | Jayalalithaa death case: Panel holds Sasikala guilty, calls for probe -PTC News