Pakistan should not take an emotional decision over Asia Cup 2023 row: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said it’s easy to let emotions take over and say Pakistan should boycott.

The ODI World Cup 2023 in India if the Asia Cup is moved out of Pakistan but the former all-rounder called for common sense and careful deliberation before deciding on the issue.

Shahid Afridi said Pakistan should take a look at its economy and its standing in the cricket world before taking a call on the Asia Cup row.

Afridi’s comments come after it emerged that the Asia Cup 50-over tournament, scheduled to take place in September, would be moved out of Pakistan and held in the UAE. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), after its meeting in February, said a final decision would be taken on hosting the Asia Cup after a meeting in March but sources told India Today that Pakistan are unlikely to host the tournament.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) had made it clear that a decision on whether or not to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup would be taken by the government and it would abide by it. However, BCCI secretary and ACC president, Jay Shah, said last year that the tournament would be moved out of Pakistan.

Shah’s comments that came at a BCCI Annual General Meeting created a stir as former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja had threatened that the Pakistan team would boycott the ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in India in October-November if India don’t travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

“I can also get emotional and say that Pakistan should go and play the World Cup but these decisions should be taken with a lot of planning. We also have to look after our economy and it all depends on where we stand in the world at the moment. So, we should not take any decision emotional,” Afridi told Samaa TV.

Notably, India off-spinner R Ashwin had reacted to the Asia Cup row, saying he thinks it was not possible for Pakistan to boycott the ODI World Cup in India.

‘EVEN ICC WON’T BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING’
Pakistan had been deprived of international cricket after the 2009 attack on a Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. However, Pakistan have been able to host top teams for bilateral series in the recent past with the likes of England, Australia and New Zealand touring the Asian nation in 2021-22.

India and Pakistan though have not played bilateral cricket since Pakistan’s trip to India in 2012-13.

Stressing that even the International Cricket Council (ICC) would not be able to act against India, Afridi said the BCCI has made itself an indispensable power in the global cricket body.

“If anyone is unable to stand on his own feet and then the decision to make strong calls is not easy. They have to look at plenty of things. If India is showing attitude), or taking such a strong stance, then they have made themselves that strong, hence they are being able to talk like this, otherwise, they wouldn’t have the courage. In the end, it’s making yourself strong and then take decisions,” he added.

“I have no idea, will India visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup? Will we boycott the ODI World Cup in India? But we need to take a stand at some point or the other. In this case ICC’s role becomes crucial, they should come forward. I think even ICC won’t be able to do anything in front of BCCI.”