Shahid Afridi calls for rational decision-making in Asia Cup row ahead of World Cup 2023
India registered a famous win in their last meeting against Pakistan (Twitter)
Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has asked his compatriots to be cautious before making any brash decisions regarding the possibility of boycotting the 2023 ODI World Cup in India in light of the Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) recent decision to move the Asia Cup out of Pakistan.
The former all-rounder urged his fellow countrymen to take a pragmatic approach and reflect upon the nation's economy and its position within the cricketing community prior to making any definitive announcements on this sensitive matter.
The ACC convened in February and disclosed that a verdict on the venue for the Asia Cup would be reached following a subsequent meeting in March, but insiders have revealed that the likelihood of Pakistan hosting the tournament is extremely slim.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that it will adhere to the directives of the Indian government regarding whether or not to attend the Asia Cup in Pakistan.
The ACC President, Jay Shah, indicated last year that the tournament would be relocated from Pakistan. A flurry of controversy ensued when former Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ramiz Raja, threatened to boycott the ODI World Cup if India refused to participate in the Asia Cup.
"I can also get emotional and say that Pakistan should not 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 emotional decision," Afridi told Samaa TV.
Afridi, however, dismissed such rhetoric, insisting that Pakistan ought to contemplate its financial stability and its status within the cricketing domain before taking any action.
The Pakistan veteran Afridi contended that even the International Cricket Council (ICC) would be powerless against India's influence, underscoring the fact that the BCCI has become an essential entity within the global cricket fraternity.
While Afridi is unsure of whether India will visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup or whether Pakistan will boycott the ODI World Cup in India.
Furthermore, he called upon the ICC to play a critical role in this episode, acknowledging, however, that even the ICC would not be capable of challenging the BCCI.
 "Jatin")
