PCB invites Jay Shah to Pakistan for PAK vs NEP Asia Cup opening match - Report

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), to attend the Asia Cup opening match between Pakistan and Nepal on August 30 in Multan. According to the PCB, other heads of cricket boards linked with the ACC have also been invited attend the first match.

The invitation to Shah, according to a reputable source within the PCB published by news agency PTI, is more of a hopeful gesture than an expectation of his real presence in Pakistan.

The invitation came as a result of Chairman Zaka Ashraf's verbal offer to Jay Shah during their meeting in Durban for the ICC assembly.

There had previously been rumours in Pakistani media that Jay Shah had accepted the PCB's invitation, but the BCCI secretary later disputed these assertions. According to the source, the PCB found itself in a delicate situation after the media publicised Shah's acceptance and then denial of the offer.

Recognising the delicate nature of India-Pakistan relations, the source stated that the PCB's goal in inviting Jay Shah was to demonstrate that it isolates sports from political considerations.

The major goal is to emphasise Pakistan's commitment to sustaining cricket connections with India regardless of political issues.

The Asia Cup 2023 is set to take place from August 30 to September 17, with games taking place across Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match is scheduled for September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

This continental tournament could feature two additional IND vs PAK games. If both teams make it to the Super Fours, they will play on September 10 in Colombo, and if they both make it to the final, they will face on September 17 at the same site.