Pakistan will pull out of 2023 Asia Cup if venue shifted: Ramiz Raja

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja has threatened to pull out of the next year’s Asia Cup if the venue of the tournament is shifted. While Pakistan is set to host the 2023 Asia Cup, Asian Cricket Council head Jay Shah had stated that the Men in Blue will not travel to Pakistan and that the matches would be held at a neutral venue.

Pointing out that all big teams were now playing in Pakistan, the former Pakistani cricketer said, ‘Asia Cup is a multi-nation event and not a bilateral series between Pakistan and India. The two teams have been playing against each other in ACC and ICC events so why are there any problems for India to play in Pakistan’

"I don't know what will happen if India will come or not but we don't want the tournament moved out of Pakistan. If that happens, we will look at pulling out of the event altogether," he added.

Raja had earlier said that if India does not visit Pakistan for Asia Cup, the Men in Green will also not travel to India for the 2023 World Cup. India who played their last bilateral white ball series against Pakistan in 2012 will need sanction from the Indian government in order to travel to Pakistan.