• ACC members will be met by PCB officials for Asia Cup.
• Golfers and kabaddi teams were present last year.
• PCB’s top brass believe that hosting the Asia Cup is Pakistan’s legitimate right.

To lay the groundwork for the anticipated meetings of the bigwigs later in the week, representatives of Pakistan, the host nation for the Asia Cup, and officials of the member countries of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will hold a series of meetings beginning today (Saturday) in Dubai.

Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), including Chief Operating Officer (COO) Slaman Naseer and Faisal Hasnain, have already left for Dubai to lay the groundwork for the most significant week in Pakistan cricket’s history.

According to “The News,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not changed its position regarding not crossing the border to play Asia Cup matches; rather, the BCCI is interested in bringing the Asia Cup to the United Arab Emirates.

The viewpoint of Pakistan, which is supported by all neutral parties, including some ICC members, remains unchanged.

After the overwhelming success of PSL 8 and Pakistan’s successful return to international cricket, the PCB’s top brass believe that hosting the Asia Cup is Pakistan’s legitimate right.

The 30-member Indian baseball team’s recent visit to Pakistan, during which they stayed in Islamabad for more than ten days and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, is another strong argument in favor of Pakistan’s position. Despite receiving the usual level of security, that baseball team thoroughly enjoyed their excursion.

The Pakistan Baseball Federation and the Indian Baseball authorities have also agreed to play bilateral series. That isn’t all, Indian tennis players continue to cross line to figure in the ITF Youngsters and other global occasions.

Golfers and kabaddi teams were present last year. Why has cricket been chosen as the focus? The Indian government’s attempt to make political use of cricket events may be the obvious explanation.

Prior to the ICC Board meeting, it is believed that meetings between PCB officials and representatives of ACC member countries serve as a form of lobbying for the upcoming meetings.

Source has also told that all depends on the outcome of these meetings.

“Preparing groundwork and getting positive wipes from the BCCI officials is more important, otherwise there is no use to hold an ACC meeting. What the PCB wants is an understanding of the issues confronting Asian countries. The ACC’s prime objective is to protect the interest of all the member countries. ACC’s charter is not meant to protect Indian cricket interests only, so the ACC member countries are required to understand the urgency of the matter. Hosting Asia Cup in Pakistan under the present circumstances is important for Asian cricket interests.”

According to the source, when asked if there was a proposal that would allow India to play their matches in the United Arab Emirates while the other Asia Cup teams travel to Pakistan, they said no.

“If that is the case, then Pakistan will be having a genuine reason to play its World Cup matches in the UAE including their knock-out matches. Everything would be on a reciprocal basis as such an act would set a wrong tradition.”

Najam Sethi, chairman of the PCB Management Committee, will depart tomorrow (Sunday) to attend the ICC meeting on Monday.

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