No need to invite Ireland, Zimbabwe if Asia Cup is cancelled: Akmal

Pakistan cricketer, Kamran Akmal, has suggested that there is no need to invite Zimbabwe or Ireland teams if the Asia Cup 2023 scheduled in Pakistan gets cancelled.

He also added that if these teams are being invited, then they should be played against Pakistan's A-team.

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Akmal believes that before going to the ICC World Cup, it's crucial for Pakistan to play tough cricket to boost their confidence. He also mentioned that playing against strong teams like South Africa would be beneficial for them.

"If there is no Asia Cup, then my request to you is that there is no need to invite Zimbabwe or Ireland. Or even if you want to invite them, then let your A-team play against them. What is important for us before going to the World Cup is to play tough cricket, as mentioned by our great players such as Inzamam or Javed Miandad before big tournaments, and also by the great Imran Khan, when we were young, they used to say that Pakistan always play with a good team before a big tournament, whether we win or lose, it will be beneficial, it will give us confidence, and this is what Pakistan team should do," he said.

"If the South Africa team comes, it would be a great thing to play against them, whether we play in their country or they come to our country. After that, you will see how much the team's confidence improves," he concluded.

According to sources, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started contacting different boards to organize a bilateral or triangular series in the Asia Cup window, in case the Asia Cup gets cancelled. The PCB is considering South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and West Indies for the series, depending on their availability as per the Future Tours Programme (FTP).

"There are a lot of things going at the back end. PCB has contacted different boards to play the series. Maybe it's South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ireland, or West Indies. It depends on their availability according to the FTP," the source added. 

South Africa and Zimbabwe are free in the Asia Cup window, with South Africa scheduled to host Australia for three T20Is and five ODIs from August 30 to September 17. Zimbabwe will play the World Cup qualifiers at home in June-July.