New Delhi: A source from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed the media reports stating that Pakistan could play its 2023 World Cup matches in Bangladesh.

According to details, India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup. Asia Cup was facing potential boycott threats from Pakistan, which has now forced India to consider a "hybrid model" for the tournament. Under this proposed model, other teams would play their Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, while the Indian team would play their matches in another country. Now, according to media reports, Pakistan is also considering the possibility of playing their World Cup matches at a neutral location.

However, the source from BCCI further told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that these are just ‘pressure tactics’ from PCB and there is a possibility that the entire Asia Cup might be shifted from Pakistan to either UAE or Qatar.

"We understand that this is a kind of pressure tactic applied by PCB because of the Asia Cup issue. But let me tell you, ultimately, Asia Cup will also be played in UAE or Qatar and probably Pakistan will also have to play its matches in one of these countries," BCCI source said.

"As far as Pakistan playing its Asia Cup games in Pakistan is concerned, the budget for the tournament is passed by the Asian Cricket Council. If ACC says that it's not a commercially viable proposition to hold Asia Cup in two countries, how can Pakistan play its games at home. ACC, for all you know, might not pass the budget," the BCCI source added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 30 2023

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