India retaliated against Pakistan’s response after the latter vowed to boycott the 2023 ICC World Cup after BCCI Secretary Jay Shah revealed that the Indian cricket team would not visit the neighbouring nation to compete in the upcoming Asia Cup. Aakash Chopra, a former India opener, led the opposition against Pakistan by asserting that Jay Shah had stated nothing improper in his statement and that the Asia Cup might not even be held if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a big deal out of it.
Aakash Chopra claims that the Indian cricketing federation has always acted as a “big brother” and has supported the member boards of the Asian Cricket Council, including Pakistan.
Aakash Chopra went on to say that India does not accept funding from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), and that all proceeds from hosting events like the Asia Cup go to other member nations.
Aakash Chopra further reaffirmed that the World Cup is a far larger competition than the Asia Cup and that Pakistan’s absence will cost the PCB a significant amount of money that the ICC splits with the other nations.
“Asia Cup might not happen at all if India don’t participate, there’s no chance. The Asia Cup is a minor tournament compared to the world cup. Skipping the World Cup means you will end up forgoing a massive amount of revenue that ICC shares (with the participating nations). It’s a case of who blinks first. So I’m not taking this seriously. I feel the Asia Cup 2023 will be held and at a neutral venue,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“Of course, ACC is a consortium. But few are aware of the fact that India doesn’t take a penny from ACC. Everybody takes a certain amount from the (ACC) coffer whether 4 million or 8 million but India ends up distributing their amount instead,” Aakash Chopra explained.
“India has been playing the role of a big brother in ACC. If it has been said that the team might not travel to Pakistan, then I can give you this in writing that India won’t. The Asia Cup will also be held at a neutral venue. And Pakistan will also definitely come to play in the World Cup (in India)… Take all this from me in writing. All these things are guaranteed,” Aakash Chopra added.
Anurag Thakur, the Indian sports minister, agreed with Aakash Chopra’s comments and criticised Pakistan’s threat to retaliate if India didn’t tour the neighbouring nation for the Asia Cup.
“The ODI World Cup will take place next year in India and all big teams around the globe will take part in it. Because you can’t ignore India in any sport. India has contributed a lot to sports, especially cricket. What is cricket without India,” the Sports Minister told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday.
Anurag Thakur stated that the government would make a decision shortly after considering the perceived threat to the players there, but he did not fully rule out the prospect of the Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
“Possibilities are always there. Who thought there will be COVID-19? Anything can happen but the chances (of Indian team travelling to Pakistan) are not much. It’s a decision that will be taken by the home ministry. Overall, players’ safety and security is an important matter,” Anurag Thakur added.
The BCCI had previously come under fire from Pakistan icon Waqar Younis, who said the BCCI was attempting to “destroy” cricket in Pakistan.
“I don’t think ye cricket board ka faisla hai. Misbah ne kaha tha ki this is not cricket board, this is coming from the top. Unki badi simple policy hai ki Pakistan ke saath nahi khelna, Pakistan ko tour nahi karna, especially kyunki cricket aakhon me aati hai, zyada log pasand karte hain. (I don’t think this is the Indian cricket board’s decision. Misbah had said earlier that this was coming from the top. They have a simple policy that they don’t want to play against Pakistan or tour the country, because cricket is watched by many),” Waqar Younis said in a conversation with A Sports.
“They want to damage Pakistan, as simple as that. Pakistan should take a stand, and I think PCB gave a good statement. We have to take care of Pakistan cricket, and we have to look after our dignity and respect because that is more important than playing cricket with them. We will see what happens over the next few days,” Waqar Younis added.
India responds to Pakistan’s threat to pull out of the World Cup originally appeared on ClutchPoints.
