We are being advised to play Asia Cup at a neutral venue: Najam Sethi

Najam Sethi in a press conference on Friday said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed that India play their Asia Cup matches at a neutral location, while Pakistan and other teams play in Pakistan.

Sethi stated that the proposal has been sent to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had declined to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions, and had requested that the tournament be moved to a neutral venue.

"We have decided on this hybrid model that Pakistan plays its Asia Cup matches at home and India their matches at a neutral venue and that is our proposal to the Asian Cricket Council," said Sethi.

Sethi was optimistic that the upcoming visit of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the foreign minister of Pakistan, to Goa, India for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Council meeting next month would contribute towards improving bilateral relations between the two nations.

"We have been told that, maybe, the ice will keep on melting. If this happens when the Champions Trophy is held in Pakistan in 2025, India would consider playing in Pakistan. Hence, we are being advised to play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue and also go to India for the World Cup," he revealed.

Sethi expressed that the prevailing sentiment among the public in Pakistan is that they should engage in cricket matches with India on an equal footing.

"Our government has imposed no restrictions about playing against India. But I can say right now that public mood is, we are not needy and we can stand on our own feet financially and we want to play cricket with India honourably. We are also negotiating with the ACC," he said.