Danish Kaneria believes Pakistan has no choice but to play India in ICC competitions after the BCCI declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.
After Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head Jay Shah suggested that the Asia Cup 2022 be hosted at a neutral venue because India can’t travel to Pakistan, a new conflict appears to have broken out between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In response, the PCB released a forceful statement warning that Pakistan would be forced to withdraw from the 2023 ODI World Cup if India follows through on its decision.
Former spinner Danish Kaneria has spoken his opinion on the topic as responses from the cricketing community on this conflict between India and Pakistan continue to trickle in. In a video posted to his YouTube account on Tuesday, Kaneria opined that Pakistan had no choice but to accept India’s choice because the BCCI funds the ICC to the tune of 90%.
“The BCCI may decide to take that action. Given that BCCI is the wealthiest board in the world and accounts for 90% of the ICC’s entire revenue, the PCB is unable to complain. The BCCI’s position on the topic may not be shared by Pakistan, but all other boards must concur. All of these boards—England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand—are affiliated with the BCCI because they understand that without the BCCI, nothing exists.
“The Pakistani government at the moment is pretty weak, but the Indian board is very, very strong. The Pakistan board once had a few severe administrators, but they are no longer present. They will have to accept what the BCCI says, and there’s no need to feel bad about it because the Indian board would not get the necessary clearance (to travel to Pakistan) due to the political situation between the two countries, he said in the video, which was released before the PCB released a statement on the subject.
Regarding the next steps, Kaneria suggested that ambassadors and members of the two boards convene a meeting to settle this issue in a neutral location.
“Officers from the PCB and BCCI should schedule a meeting at a scenic location. In Dubai, they are permitted to do so while some ICC representatives are present. He argued that the core teams for each board should be composed of diplomats.
Kaneria doesn’t believe the PCB can afford to take the position that Pakistan will not play against India at ICC events as a reply.
“India vs. Pakistan is the biggest game ever, and everyone adores it. Even the idea of bilateral cricket returning has been floated. Some have advocated against Pakistan playing India in ICC competitions. However, Pakistan cannot actually achieve it since they lack the financial means to do so. However, India has the option to decline to face Pakistan in ICC tournaments, in his opinion.
“It seems almost clear that Pakistan won’t host the Asia Cup in 2019. In the video, he added that tomorrow Afghanistan could also decide not to visit Pakistan.
