“If Pakistan doesn't take part in the World Cup in India next year, who will watch it?": Ramiz Raja

[MenInG]

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has told the ICC officials that it had threatened to boycott next year's 50-over World Cup in India to exert pressure on the neighbouring country to send its team for the Asia Cup, according to sources. The hosting rights of the 2023 edition of the 50-over Asia Cup has been awarded to Pakistan by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) as a pre-cursor to the marquee World Cup in India (October-November 2023). In October, ACC president and BCCI secretary Jay Shah had said that India will not travel to Pakistan next year for the 50-over Asia Cup - likely to be held in September 2023 - after which the PCB had threatened to pull out of the World Cup.

But, it is learnt that the PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has told the International Cricket Council officials that the Board has not made any decision not to send its team to India for the 50-over World Cup. The ICC officials, including chief executive officer Geoff Allardice, were in Pakistan as guests to watch the home Test series against England.

"Ramiz assured the ICC officials that PCB had made no decision on not sending its team to India for the World Cup nor was it in favour of boycotting such a mega event but because of the strained cricket relations between the two countries, the PCB had to exert pressure to get the Indian board to send its team for Asia Cup," a source aware of the development told PTI.

The source said the ICC officials conveyed to Ramiz their concerns regarding his statements about Pakistan not playing in next year's World Cup in India if the Indian team does not participate in the Asia Cup.

According to the source, Ramiz also told the ICC officials that the PCB would not accept the 2025 Champions Trophy being moved from the country on the pretext that India may not travel to Pakistan.

"Ramiz was very clear that Pakistan will not be receptive to the tournament being moved anywhere else because of India as it had already started heavy investment on building or renovating infrastructure for the ICC event,” the source said.

“Ramiz reminded the ICC officials that the executive board which included India had given hosting rights of the Champions Trophy to Pakistan, so there should be no confusion as to where the tournament will be held on schedule.” India hasn't travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and after the Mumbai terrorist attack on November 26 that year, the scheduled bilateral series in early 2009 was cancelled.

Pakistan did travel to India for a short six-match white-ball series in 2012, but in the last 10 years, there hasn't been any bilateral cricket. The two teams have only played each other at various ICC and ACC events.

NDTV

 

[MenInG]

Ramiz Raja:

"I have got great regard for Indian fans, I have absolutely enjoyed my stint over the years in India. There is no doubt in this. Cricket breaks barriers, it helps transcend barriers. As a cricketer, as a commentator, I have gotten a lot of love"

"Problems start when you run the cricket administration, then you have to take strong decisions. Those strong decisions are judged by the Indian perspective, the fans and the cricket board in Pakistan are looking at their own benefits. They are looking at those calls from their own perspective.

"The problem started when we got the Asia Cup hosting rights and then India thought we won't go to Pakistan and because of that Asia Cup will be held in a neutral country, it can't be held in Pakistan. As you know, big international teams weren't coming to Pakistan, and after a long time, Pakistan is getting to host an international tournament. I took my stand based on that"

"Leadership is very important when you are running cricket. We challenged England, we challenged New Zealand when they went back, they returned to play. England played extra matches too also - That's why it's important to take a stand for us."

"This was not even news to me, because it was a done deal that Pakistan will host the Asia Cup. To withdraw the hosting rights without any meeting, without any conversation, or without any committee. No Asia Cup member also knew this"

Ramiz felt that Pakistan decided to stand up to India on the Asia Cup hosting rights matter. But, considering the stature that the BCCI has, India didn't budge, probably saying "who are they to challenge us". For Ramiz, it's a problem when a country 'tries to boss'.

NDTV

 

[MenInG]

The decision to send the Pakistan team for the ODI World Cup in India next year will be taken at the government level, the new Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi has said. Speaking with reference to the threat made by his predecessor, Ramiz Raja, that Pakistan will consider pulling out of the mega event if India didn't come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Sethi said on Monday that, "if the government says don't go to India, we will not go".

"Where Pakistan and India's cricket relations are concerned, let's be clear. (The) decisions on whether to play or not play tour or not tour are always taken at the government level," Sethi told a press conference in Karachi.

"These are decisions only taken at the government level; the PCB can only seek clarity." Sethi added that he will be in touch with the Asian Cricket Council on the issue of the Asia Cup, which Pakistan is scheduled to host next year.

"I will see what the situation is and then move forward. Any decision we take, we have to make sure we are not isolated." Sethi also said he or the PCB had no objection if Raja decided to return to the commentary box.

"I have a lot of respect for Ramiz and we would never oppose him returning to the commentary box." Sethi also rubbished the accounts of his expenditure put up by the previous PCB management on its website, saying that they were incorrect.

"When I go back to Lahore, the first thing I am going to do is (to) bring the factual position before the public. The figures given about me pertaining to expenses are not right at all," said Sethi.

Sethi also defended the decision of the present Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to remove Raja as PCB chairman.

"I was chairman in 2018. When Imran Khan's government was formed, I resigned although some people in (the) corridors of power told me no one will remove me. I have always believed that (the) prime minister has the right to choose his candidate to run cricket affairs, so I resigned."

NDTV

 

[Kroll]

If Pakistan feel this strongly about the issue, then they absolutely must send the team to India. The most befitting reply would be to go and win it on their soil.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Will/ Should Pakistan travel to India for 2023 WC?

Given the safety concerns for Pakistani team in India and current environment,should Pakistani team travel to India for the 2023 WC?
Imagine that Pakistan reach the finals in Mumbai ? It will be very hard to control public sentiment and provide safety.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

I was thinking this also, since there has been so much hate and seperation between India and Pakistan in last decade. But I still think Pakistan will travel to India, simply because they are not like India, England, Australia who have the ability to pick and chose who to play, who not to play and what they want to do.

 

[reversehook]

quite honestly if they travel, gut feelings say this crappy team will be booted out in the first round, and only qudrat ka nizam will see them go into 2nd round maximum...

if they want to save face/embarassment, dont go...

 

[Hitman]

Of course they should travel. Why should Pak fans miss out of the biggest event in the game, that too which takes place once in 4 years. Forget the ego, it's about being practical.

 

[emranabbas]

Of course they should travel. Why should Pak fans miss out of the biggest event in the game, that too which takes place once in 4 years. Forget the ego, it's about being practical.

Safety first

 

[SamNJ]

There will be enough security provided to Pakistani team. Same is true for India when they tour Pakistan.

 

[Hitman]

Safety first

And what makes you think they would be unsafe? When has a visiting team ever been attacked in India in the past, unlike how the Sri Lankan team was attacked in Pakistan? And even if some nutcase wants to do so, how will they breach the security provided?

 

[Suleiman]

Given the frequency of how many world events India hosts every few years, even if we boycott this one, how long will Pakistan keep that up? It may isolate itself to the point of no return if it does so. Will we really be content with just bilaterals and waiting 8 years for the next WC (since the previous one)? Is it feasible to do so?

Safety may be an issue as well. So it’s a rock and a hard place for Pak rn.

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

pakistan should travel and so should India for Asia Cup

 

[Hitman]

pakistan should travel and so should India for Asia Cup

I feel the same.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Given the safety concerns for Pakistani team in India and current environment,should Pakistani team travel to India for the 2023 WC?
Imagine that Pakistan reach the finals in Mumbai ? It will be very hard to control public sentiment and provide safety.

Finals in Mumbai?

There is no final in Mumbai. Its likely in Ahmedabad.

 

[WengerOut]

Pakistan can win the WC at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, biggest in the world. Imagine that. There has never been a major security issue ever in India. So that is a moot point.

 

[chakdeindian]

Pakistan will definitely travel to India for CWC but India will not travel to Pak for Asia Cup.It will happen in neutral venue..

 

[hitthestump]

If India refuse to come for Asia Cup then Pakistan should not travel to any events held in India.

It will be a huge shame but if India want to set a precedence i hope Pakistan find the balls to stand up for themselves.

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

Pakistan can win the WC at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, biggest in the world. Imagine that. There has never been a major security issue ever in India. So that is a moot point.

Are you serious ?

 

[emranabbas]

And what makes you think they would be unsafe? When has a visiting team ever been attacked in India in the past, unlike how the Sri Lankan team was attacked in Pakistan? And even if some nutcase wants to do so, how will they breach the security provided?

India is an anti pakistan and anti Muslim country
And you think pakistanis will be safe in India
Just like it's a security risk for Indians to play in pakistan it's also a security risk for pakistanis

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan should opt out of WC to avoid embarrassment of been beaten like a bunch of minnows that they are under Babar.

 

[Hitman]

India is an anti pakistan and anti Muslim country
And you think pakistanis will be safe in India
Just like it's a security risk for Indians to play in pakistan it's also a security risk for pakistanis

So why weren't Pak players attacked in India in the past?

 

[Gilly]

If India refuse to come for Asia Cup then Pakistan should not travel to any events held in India.

It will be a huge shame but if India want to set a precedence i hope Pakistan find the balls to stand up for themselves.

So if India shoot themselves in the foot and don't attend the Asia cup Pakistan should see this as a challenge to do something more dumber and not attend the World cup.

 

[MenInG]

So why weren't Pak players attacked in India in the past?

Call it luck.

But don't take it for granted.

 

[Front Foot Pull]

India is an anti pakistan and anti Muslim country
And you think pakistanis will be safe in India
Just like it's a security risk for Indians to play in pakistan it's also a security risk for pakistanis

malarkey, absolute malarkey.
this is what happens when you only read articles written by SOME elite people sitting in glass cabins. i can talk about the increase of the population of the community, people of that community from the neighbouring states trying to get into india for a better life, some of our biggest film stars, reservations, politicians but this is not the forum for it. india is a union of people of hundreds of languages, tens of religions and even more castes and yet we move forward despite minor issues here and there. it will continue to be united and continue to develop. biggest democracy doesn't need lectures from others.

back to cricket, usually i don't about religion in team india but you can hold our pace trio in the SL series. hamare hyderabad ka shaan siraj miyaan.

 

[MenInG]

malarkey, absolute malarkey.
this is what happens when you only read articles written by SOME elite people sitting in glass cabins. i can talk about the increase of the population of the community, people of that community from the neighbouring states trying to get into india for a better life, some of our biggest film stars, reservations, politicians but this is not the forum for it. india is a union of people of hundreds of languages, tens of religions and even more castes and yet we move forward despite minor issues here and there. it will continue to be united and continue to develop. biggest democracy doesn't need lectures from others.

back to cricket, usually i don't about religion in team india but you can hold our pace trio in the SL series. hamare hyderabad ka shaan siraj miyaan.

Ok and here we stop this type of discussion.

Stay on topic

 

[Hitman]

Call it luck.

But don't take it for granted.

I strongly believe nothing bad can happen to the Pak team in India keeping in mind the security that will be provided to them.

 

[Arabian_Tiger]

I strongly believe nothing bad can happen to the Pak team in India keeping in mind the security that will be provided to them.

Migwa bhi bhasiya gaya hai. [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]
Sun Migwa Sun Migwa tujhko kya dar hai re.

 

[shamaan]

I strongly believe nothing bad can happen to the Pak team in India keeping in mind the security that will be provided to them.

Do you think then something will happen to India if they did travel to pakistan

 

[Hitman]

Do you think then something will happen to India if they did travel to pakistan

No, the security provided would be top notch.

 

[Caved12]

No one gets rich overnight. The BCCI worked it’s way to the top. If PCB had half the credibility it would have been the second richest board today.

You are right. I went a bit too far with my villager comment, So sorry.

India have done extremely well in the last 20 years and I am sure they will continue to dominate for the next 20 years as well.

 

[emranabbas]

I strongly believe nothing bad can happen to the Pak team in India keeping in mind the security that will be provided to them.

I strongly believe nothing will happen to team india in pakistan and the security will be 10 times better than what will india provide to team pak now let's get to reality BCCI and government of India won't let team india to travel to pakistan because they don't don't want pakistan to earn revenue

Now tell me whose the bully?? Why should we not stand up to this bullying?

 

[MenInG]

Kamran Akmal on the same subject:

"Pakistan should definitely play the Asia Cup, even if it is played in the UAE. But see, if Indians don't want to come to Pakistan, we should also not play the World Cup match against them. We should not go for the World Cup."

"While the decision lies in the hands of the ICC and the PCB, we also have some respect, and we have also been world champions. The issue isn't between the two boards, it is in the hands of the two governments."

 

[Hitman]

I strongly believe nothing will happen to team india in pakistan and the security will be 10 times better than what will india provide to team pak now let's get to reality BCCI and government of India won't let team india to travel to pakistan because they don't don't want pakistan to earn revenue

Now tell me whose the bully?? Why should we not stand up to this bullying?

True. Can't argue against that.

 

[MenInG]

From a report:

While the fixtures for World Cups are generally announced one year in advance, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is still waiting to understand the situation surrounding the visa situation of Pakistan cricketers and the tax exemptions on offer from the Indian government.

 

[daytrader]

Pakistan Team Will Be Granted Visa By Indian Govt To Play ODI World Cup 2023, Says Report


Months after Pakistan Cricket Board warned India that Men In Green may not travel across the border for World Cup 2023 after BCCI's refusal to travel to Pakistan, the Indian cricket board has reportedly assured ICC of smooth visa clearances for Babar Azam and Co

BCCI is learned to have told ICC, at the quarterly meetings, that Indian government will be providing visas for the Pakistani players for the ODI World Cup. ICC has been told that there will not be any issue related to the visa of Pakistani players.