Last Update: February 16, 2023, 13:09 IST
Shahid Afridi took over after the dismissal of Mohammad Wasim. (AFP photo)
Afridi’s comments came after veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin raised the controversial issue.
New Delhi: Former Pakistan flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes that even the ICC will be unable to do anything to the BCCI as far as hosting the 2023 Asia Cup in his country is concerned.
BCCI’s refusal to play in Pakistan due to political tensions between the neighbors has raised doubts over the cross-border tournament later this year.
The continental tournament is important as it is scheduled just before the ODIs World cup, which India Is hosting and Pakistan has threatened to boycott giving a tit-for-tat reply.
“I don’t know, will India tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup? Will we boycott the ODI World Cup to be held in India? But we need to take a stand at some point or the other,” Afridi told ‘Samaa TV’.
“ICC’s role becomes important in this matter, they should come forward, but I want to say that even ICC will not be able to do anything in front of BCCI,” he said.
One of cricket’s biggest entertainers of his time with his power-hitting abilities and pacey leg-spinners, Afridi said the BCCI is flexing its muscles as it has made itself “so strong”.
He said, ‘If someone is not able to stand on his feet and take such strong decisions, it is not easy to decide. They have to see many things. India agar aankh dikha raha hai (If India is showing its strength) or is taking such a tough stand, then they have made themselves so strong.
“So they are able to talk like this, otherwise they would not have had the courage. At the end of the day, it’s about making yourself strong and then taking decisions.”
Afridi’s comments came after veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin raised the controversial issue.
“The Asia Cup was to be held in Pakistan. But India has announced that if it happens in Pakistan, we will not participate in it. Change the location if you want us to participate. But we must have seen this happen many times.
When we say that we will not go to their place, they will say that they will also not come to our place. Similarly, Pakistan has said that they too will not come in the World Cup. But however, I think it is not possible,” Ashwin had said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
“The final decision may be to shift the Asia Cup to Sri Lanka. It is an important lead-up to the 50-over World Cup. There have been many tournaments in dubai friends. If it is taken to Sri Lanka I would be happy too,” Ashwin added.
BCCI and Pakistan Cricket The board (PCB) is determined regarding the venue of the Asia Cup.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)