The fate of this year's Asia Cup, which may determine Pakistan's participation in the World Cup in India, will be decided on the sidelines of Sunday's Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad, Asian Cricket Council President Jay Shah said.
Pakistan Cricket Board, host of the eight-team Asia Cup in September, has offered a “hybrid” model to stage some matches at a neutral venue after India refused to tour the country.
29-year-old Akash returned stunning figures of 5-5 in the playoffs to lead five-time champions Mumbai Indians to victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday@mipaltan @IPL @ChennaiIPL @ImRo45 @LucknowIPL https://t.co/8jzBeL3NUY
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 25, 2023
Owing to their soured political relations, bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan remains suspended and they play each other only in multi-team events.
Pakistan have threatened to boycott the World Cup in India in October-November should they be forced to stage the entire Asia Cup in another country, which could be the United Arab Emirates.
Shah said cricket chiefs from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan would attend the IPL final in Ahmedabad Sunday, where a final decision would be taken.
Akash Madhwal took five wickets for as many runs to lead @mipaltan to a crushing 81-run win in the second @IPL playoff game and knock @LucknowIPL out of the tournament Wednesday.https://t.co/QjhY48nHk7
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 25, 2023
“We will hold discussions with them for outlining the future course of action in relation to Asia Cup 2023,” Shah, also the secretary of the powerful Indian board, said in a brief statement Thursday.
He was not immediately available to elaborate when Reuters contacted him.
PCB chairman Najam Sethi was likely to join the meeting virtually, a source said.
