• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Asia Cup Without Pakistan Is Like Pizza Akash Chopra On Asia Cup Confusion

'Asia Cup Without Pakistan Is Like Pizza...,' Akash Chopra On Asia Cup Confusion

image-liyv68cuPakistan team. (AP Photo)

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has commented on Pakistan's participation in the Asia Cup 2023, despite most of the matches being held in Sri Lanka. He believes it was an expected outcome given the circumstances surrounding the tournament.

This year’s Asia Cup was in doubt due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan and Pakistan's reluctance to host the event in another country. Eventually, all participating nations agreed on a hybrid model, with four games to be played in Pakistan and the remaining matches in Sri Lanka.

Chopra expressed that Pakistan's decision to play in the Asia Cup, despite most of the matches taking place in Sri Lanka, was not surprising. Furthermore, he is confident that Pakistan will also participate in the upcoming Cricket World Cup, as boycotting ICC mega-events is not feasible.

"I am not a wee bit surprised because India had refused to go and they are not going. Pakistan will also come to play the World Cup, there is no doubt about that because you cannot do like that in ICC events that you won't play,"  Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

He further explained that a team can choose not to participate in the Asia Cup, allowing other teams to compete without them. However, according to Chopra, the Asia Cup without Pakistan would be like a pizza without its toppings. He emphasized that Pakistan's presence in the tournament is crucial for its enjoyment.

"You can flex your muscles slightly in the Asia Cup, you can say that you won't play and that other teams can play without you if they want. Asia Cup without Pakistan is like pizza without the topping. It won't be enjoyable. So you want Pakistan to be there in the Asia Cup,"  he added.

Chopra's remarks highlight the significance of Pakistan's involvement in the Asia Cup and emphasize the importance of their participation in major cricket events for the overall enjoyment of the game.