The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a host of mega-events for the 2024-31 cycle a few days ago, including the 2025 Champions Trophy which is to take place in Pakistan. As soon as the hosts of the forthcoming ICC events were announced, a chatter started in the Indian cricketing spectrum over the possibilities of India visiting Pakistan for the first time since 2008.
However, it isn’t just the 2025 Champions Trophy for which India would have to travel to Pakistan but also the 2023 Asia Cup. In conversation with media, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja was asked about the prospects of a bilateral series taking pace between India and Pakistan as well as the 2023 Asia Cup.
The PCB boss ruled out the possibilities of a bilateral series taking place anytime soon expressed confidence over hosting the Indian team for the Asia Cup, explaining why it won’t be easy for the Men in Blue to withdraw from the tournament.
“Bilateral series look very difficult but tri-nation could still be possible. When it comes to international tournaments, pulling out isn’t as easy as you are under a lot of pressure. When countries are given hosting rights for these tournaments, all of these things are discussed in advance. I don’t think it will happen (India pulling out of Asia Cup),” Raja said.
The PCB chairman also met his Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) counterpart, Sourav Ganguly, in UAE during the T20 World Cup 2021. Raja revealed that he had a few talks with Ganguly about the growth of the sport across the globe.
