Basit Ali calls for moving Asia Cup 2025 from India
PHOTO: AFP
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has urged for the Asia Cup 2025 to be relocated from India, just a day after India was awarded the hosting rights for the tournament.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ali criticized Jay Shah, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, accusing him of strategically complicating Pakistan’s participation in future cricket events.
“Well done, Jay Shah. You’ve killed two birds with one stone,” Ali said. “But Basit Ali kills three birds with one stone. Here’s some free advice: try to shift the Asia Cup to another country. Jay Shah could take a U-turn after my show.”
Ali suggested that Pakistan might refuse to travel to India for the Asia Cup if the BCCI does not agree to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. He labeled Shah’s decision as a ploy to promote a hybrid model for both events.
“Jay Shah knew that India would have to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy; otherwise, Pakistan won’t come for the Asia Cup. Pakistan won’t even go for the T20 World Cup if India says no for the Champions Trophy. To hell with the hybrid model. There could also be another lollipop of India adopting a hybrid model for the Asia Cup so that Pakistan do the same for the Champions Trophy,,” Ali said.
While Pakistan has firmly opposed relocating any Champions Trophy 2025 games, the BCCI has yet to make an official statement regarding India's plans to travel to Pakistan.
Ali also praised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi for his strategic skills, comparing him favorably to Jay Shah.
“I agree Jay Shah is very sharp, but the guy in front of him, the current PCB chairman, is also in the same league. Now you will have to come forward openly and declare that the Asia Cup is in India, so we would have to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” Ali concluded.
Pakistan is preparing to host its first major tournament since the 2008 Asia Cup, making significant efforts to ensure its success. However, India's reluctance to travel for the Champions Trophy 2025 remains a significant challenge for the PCB.