Shahid Afridi lashes out at Jay Shah over Asia Cup security concerns

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Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has slammed the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Jay Shah, regarding the scheduling and security issues of the Asia Cup. 

Afridi took over his social media platform 'X' and, without mincing his words, called out Shah, listing various international cricket teams and events that Pakistan has successfully hosted in recent years. Afridi debunked Shah's claims of security concerns in Pakistan and expressed Pakistan's readiness to host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.

"I came across Mr @JayShah's statement about security situation in Pakistan. Just to refresh his memory, Pakistan has hosted the following foreign players/teams in the past six years:

2017 – ICC World XI & SL
2018 – WI
2019 – WI (W), BD (W) & SL
2020 – BD, PSL, MCC & Zim
2021 – WI, PSL, SA & WI
2022 – Aus, PSL, WI, BD U19, Ireland (W) & Eng (2), 
2023 – NZ (2), PSL, Women's Exhibition Matches, #AsiaCup2023 (Nep, SL, Afg & BD) & SA (W)

Have no doubts Mr Shah, Pakistan is ready to host  @BCCI at the #ICCChampionsTrophy2025" Afridi said on 'X'
 

I came across Mr @JayShah’s statement about security situation in Pakistan. Just to refresh his memory, Pakistan has hosted the following foreign players/teams in the past six years:

2017 – ICC World XI & SL
2018 – WI
2019 – WI (W), BD (W) & SL
2020 – BD, PSL, MCC & Zim
2021 –…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 6, 2023

Afridi's reaction follows Shah's comments that Pakistan is not a safe location for cricket events. Shah explained that many stakeholders had reservations about hosting the entire Asia Cup in Pakistan due to concerns about security and the country's economic situation.

"All the full members, media rights holder, and in-stadia rights holders were initially hesitant to commit to hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan. This reluctance stemmed from concerns related to the security and economic situation prevailing in the country," Shah said in the press release.

It's important to note that ACC's and Shah's decision to hold all Super Four matches in Colombo, despite the likelihood of heavy rain, has drawn criticism. Sri Lanka is currently experiencing rainy conditions that are expected to affect the upcoming Super Four matches. Even though this decision has faced backlash, Shah has maintained the original schedule. Moreover, the India-Pakistan group stage match was also washed out due to rain, and India's last group stage match against Nepal was affected as well, leading to a reduction in overs during the second innings.

Previously, ACC was set to move the Super Four matches to Hambantota due to poor weather forecasts in Colombo, with the PCB's approval. However, Shah reversed the decision which led to significant discontent from the PCB.