Former Pakistan cricketer urges relocation of Asia Cup 2025 from India

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has called for the Asia Cup 2025 to be moved out of India, just a day after they secured the hosting rights for the continental tournament. 

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah for what he described as a strategic maneuver to complicate Pakistan's participation in future tournaments.

“Well done, Jay Shah. You’ve killed two birds with one stone. You kill two birds with one stone, but Basit Ali kills three birds with one stone. Now let me give you some free advice. Try to shift the Asia Cup to some other country. Jay Shah could take a U-turn after my show” Ali said.

Ali suggested that Pakistan might not travel to India for the Asia Cup if the BCCI refuses to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. 

He claimed that Jay Shah's decision to schedule the Asia Cup in India was a ploy to promote a hybrid model for both events.

“Jay Shah knew that India would have to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy; otherwise, Pakistan won’t come for the Asia Cup. Pakistan won’t even go for the T20 World Cup if India says no for the Champions Trophy. To hell with the hybrid model. There could also be another lollipop of India adopting a hybrid model for the Asia Cup so that Pakistan do the same for the Champions Trophy,” he said.

While Pakistan has strongly objected to moving any Champions Trophy 2025 games out of the country, the BCCI has yet to make an official statement regarding India's travel plans to Pakistan. 

The former cricketer also praised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi for his strategic acumen, comparing him favorably to Jay Shah.

“I agree Jay Shah is very sharp, but the guy in front of him, the current PCB chairman, is also in the same league. Now you will have to come forward openly and declare that the Asia Cup is in India, so we would have to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” the ex-cricket concluded.

Pakistan is set to host its first major tournament since the 2008 Asia Cup and is making significant efforts to ensure the event’s success. However, India’s hesitation to travel for the Champions Trophy 2025 presents a substantial challenge for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).