To cancel the Asia Cup, Jay Shah can call the ACC Executive Board meeting in seven days: Report

Contricting media reports that Asia Cup could be postponed and a parallel tournament, excluding Pakistan, could be played in Dubai in same window, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) sources on Monday said that y have not sent out any such proposal to member nations. A report in Pakistan media claimed that if PCB will not agree to play Asia Cup at a neutral venue, tournament could be taken away from country.

hosting rights of 2023 Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in ODI format, are with Pakistan Cricket Board but BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also ACC chairman, has me it clear that Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan. PCB has proposed to host Asia Cup on a 'hybrid model', where Pakistan play ir matches on home soil, while India play at a neutral venue in all likelihood Dubai.

It is understood that BCCI wants entire tournament to be shifted to UAE -- which has three grounds in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi much like 2018 and 2022 editions when India and Sri Lanka were tournament hosts.

"re has been exchange of messages but no discussion or proposal to postpone Asia Cup has been floated," an ACC Board member, privy to discussions on sidelines of an ICC meet in Dubai, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"Secondly, if Asia Cup is cancelled, PCB will be intimated first. Nothing of that sort has happened till now. ACC chairman (Shah) hasn't yet put anything on record.

"To postpone or cancel event, ACC will have to call an Executive Board meeting. chairman (Shah) can call meeting in seven days (virtual or physical). To date, re is no intimation about any such meeting," source ded.

ACC source said that, to best of his knowledge, last official mail exchange between PCB, ACC and BCCI was an invitation sent to Indian team with assurance of highest degree of security and best hospitality. 

"But, obviously, it is difficult for India to travel to Pakistan in current sensitive political environment," he agreed.

or issue is amount of money official brocaster has committed on telecast deals, that includes at least two assured India-Pakistan games. If two teams make final, third game would be a bonanza.

"We must remember media rights and agreement with Star Sports, who have paid millions for, at least, two Pakistan vs India matches in Asia Cup," he said.

It is learnt that when informal discussion was held between ACC members about hosting tournament at neutral venue, source confirmed that BCCI did get support from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

"Look, if Asia Cup is cancelled after ACC chairman summons an Executive Board meeting, ramifications will not just be Pakistan's World Cup participation but also PCB's FTP calendar and bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan or Banglesh. 

" situation is still very fluid," source said