Shoaib Akhtar reveals new venue for Asia Cup 2023

Former Pakistan pacer, Shoaib Akhtar, has named the replacement of the venue for the hosting of Asia Cup 2023 scheduled in Pakistan.

Shoaib has suggested that the tournament should remain in Pakistan or be held in Sri Lanka, who are the defending champions. 

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“I want Asia Cup 2023 to be held in Pakistan; if not Pakistan, then Sri Lanka,” Akhtar said.

He hopes to see India and Pakistan play in the Asia Cup finals and World Cup, while the PCB chairman, Najam Sethi, has stated that they are exploring all options and will raise the issues in the upcoming ACC and ICC meetings.

"I want to see India and Pakistan play the final in Asia Cup and World Cup. Nothing else should happen in world cricket, just India and Pakistan finals," he said.

"We have complex issues on hand, but when I go to the ACC and ICC meetings, I have kept all options open for us, and we have to take a clear position now," Sethi said while addressing media on Monday.

Chairman PCB management committee has also mentioned that India is firm on not sending their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. The PCB is considering not playing the World Cup in India if they do not visit Pakistan. 

"I have kept my options open because when all teams are coming to Pakistan and have no issues with security. Then why is India worried about the security? In the same way, we can also have security concerns over sending our team to India for the World Cup, and I will be bringing this to the table at the coming meetings," he said.

The ICC CEO and Executive Board meetings are scheduled to be held this month, and the matter is yet to be resolved.