Without either India or Pakistan, the 2023 Asia Cup would be a lose-lose scenario

The location of the event has been the subject of several discussions, arguments, and considerations in the run-up to the 2023 Asia Cup. There has been much back and forth on where and how the competition should be held as a result of India not receiving official approval to visit Pakistan, the host country.

Najam Sethi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has suggested a hybrid system in which some games would take place in Pakistan while others would be played at a neutral site.

The newest rumors on the arrangement show Sri Lanka as the front-runner to host the event, adding to the suspense surrounding it. Pakistan, on the other hand, is still holding firm to their position and is unwilling to concede the whole competition.

Since the cricket board would be forced to go India for the 50-over World Cup later this year, they are likely to use the competition as a justification for taking that severe stance. They are placed in a position where they are under growing pressure from the domestic media and may have no choice but to fight.

“Look at the predicament they are in. Pakistan cannot afford to skip the 50-over World Cup in India, and the home fans and media would be very critical of them if they secretly let the Asia Cup to be shifted to a neutral location, according to a person familiar with the situation.

If the event is totally shifted to a neutral location, there are significant rumors that Pakistan may withdraw, and industry insiders are not shocked by these ideas.

“Don’t be shocked if they decide to leave the competition. They can only demonstrate some vigor by doing this. According to what we have heard, the ACC members are unlikely to support the hybrid model, and Pakistan is unlikely to accept the neutral venue suggestion under the radar.

Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and president of the ACC, invited the heads of the cricket boards for Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka to the IPL final in Ahmedabad, where meetings took place afterwards. Shah is now in London for the World Test Championship final, and any next steps may be discussed there.

When queried about the future of the course, a BCCI representative responds, “Whatever happens regarding the Asia Cup will happen in London.”

WITHOUT INDIA OR PAKISTAN IN THE ASIAN CUP?

It’s difficult to picture the Asia Cup, one of the best competitions on the circuit, without either Pakistan or India. The Asia Cup would not exist without one of the two teams, according to Vinit Karnik, South Asia head for sports, e-sports, and entertainment at Group M, and it would severely damage the tournament’s reputation and all related advertising.

Without Pakistan or India, there would be no Asia Cup. When even one of them isn’t participating in the competition, the brand value suffers significantly. When Pakistan or India don’t participate, there is no doubt about maintaining the brand’s worth, claims Karnik.

There will be a significant amount of interest in the competition, and neither sponsors nor broadcasters will be prepared for it, he continues.

For all parties involved, it makes no difference whether nation hosts the game since everyone wants to see an India-Pakistan match, which is even more unusual given that there is no bilateral cricket taking place between the bitter rivals owing to the present political turmoil.

“As you can see, it doesn’t matter where we are. A game between India and Pakistan is significant. And once again, without Pakistan or India, there would be no Asia Cup. I’ve been reading that it will probably be performed in a neutral location presently. Nothing is impacted by the neutral location, but the absence of India-Pakistan cricket most surely is, according to Karnik.