India and Pakistan is the biggest rivalry in world cricket as the two teams ensure huge gate and eye balls. The two are scheduled to meet on Sunday in a explosive contest at the MCG to begin their 2022 T20 World Cup campaign. While there are sparks expected to fly on the field, there is a huge controversy snowballing off the field as well between PCB and BCCI.
The story as it happened –
Jay Shah a big name functionary in the BCCI recently revealed that India will not travel to Pakistan. 2023 Asia Cup which is to be played in the 50 over format is to be hosted by Pakistan. The PCB then said if India pulls out of the Asia Cup, the will pull out of the 2023 ODI world cup to be played in India. Jay Shah, also said that BCCI is exploring the opportunity for the 2023 Asia Cup to be played in neutral venue. UAE has hosted the last two Asia Cups in 2018 and 2022.
Offensive tweet by Pakistani journalist raises eyebrows as BCCI likes it
Syed Sameer Abbas is a Pakistani journalist who went on to rant on the decision made by BCCI. The journalist in question took to Twitter and said “Cowards don’t run away. Keep sport away from politics”. The scribe also posted few more offensive tweets, but the most curious part is that BCCI had liked the tweet by the journalist.
#BCCI has become a tool of extremist RSS.
— Syed Sammer Abbas (سید ثمر عباس) (@SammerAbbas) October 18, 2022
Pakistan threatens to pull out –
The statement by Jay Shah did not sit down well with Ramiz Raja and PCB who put out a huge statement on Wednesday. If India decides to pull out, the PCB has said they will give up their membership of ACC (Asian Cricket Council) as well. The Pakistanis also said they will not travel to India for the 2023 ODI world cup.
India for its part has been steadfast in their stance of not touring Pakistan ever since the 2008 terror attacks. The last time India went across the order was in 2008 much before the attacks happened to play the 2008 Asia Cup where they lost Sri Lanka in the final. None of the Indian team barring Rohit Sharma has played against Pakistan in Pakistan.