The location of the Asia Cup 2023 is still up for dispute. Originally, Pakistan intended to host the entire continental event, but the Asian Cricket Council, under the direction of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, settled on a hybrid format instead. All games, except four, are taking place in Sri Lanka. However, the matches have been ruined by the rain. After Pakistan dismissed India for 266 in the inaugural India vs. Pakistan match at Pallekele, not a single ball could be bowled in the second innings. Following the match, Najam Sethi, the former president of the Pakistan Cricket Board, commented on X (previously Twitter): “BCCI/ACC told PCB today that they had chosen to change the upcoming India-Pak match from Colombo to Hambantota due to rain projections. They declared Colombo as the site an hour later after changing their minds. What is happening? Is India frightened to play against Pakistan and lose? “Check out the rain forecast!” Following Najam Sethi’s tweet, Harbhajan Singh was enraged and bashed the former PCB for his comment. Scroll down to read Harbhajan Singh Lashes Out At Ex-PCB Chief For His Comment.
Harbhajan Singh Lashes Out At Ex-PCB Chief For His Comment
In an interview with Sports Today, Harbhajan Singh said, “I’m not sure what Najam Sethi is smoking right now. I’m not sure how he can claim that India doesn’t want to play Pakistan or that they were the favorites. Please provide him with the whole list of occasions when India has defeated them more frequently when they have faced off. Given his current position of prominence in Pakistan cricket, this is an absurd claim for him to make.”
He continued, “He claims that India is afraid and does not want to play Pakistan. India never hesitates to take on any opponent. I’m not sure where this came from. They needed to meet with the Asian Cricket Council to choose the location of the event. Whether or not the weather forecast was accurate. Come play with us anywhere you like, boss; we’ll defeat you.”
PCB Requests ACC To Shift Matches Venue
In response to the Asia Cup games being played in Sri Lanka, the Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday sought compensation from the Asian Cricket Council.
Even though the PCB has not made an official statement on the situation, certain local media sites have stated that Zaka Ashraf, the board’s chairman, has written a formal letter to Jay Shah, the president of the ACC, requesting compensation.
Ashraf has voiced his dissatisfaction with the ACC’s handling of the match schedule for Sri Lanka.
The PCB chairman has moreover enquired, without naming any individuals, as to who was in charge of last-minute selections to switch locations.
After the match between India and Nepal, certain ACC members, including those from Sri Lanka and Pakistan, met, according to Ashraf’s letter.
Since it was predicted that Hambantota would stay dry, it was decided during the meeting that the matches in Colombo should be transferred there, according to Ashraf.
Also read, PCB chairman accuses the BCCI and ACC on the venue change
