Basit calls for relocation of Asia Cup

The tournament will be hosted by India next year

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has called for the Asia Cup 2025 to be moved out of India, just a day after they secured the hosting rights for the continental tournament.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah for what he described as a strategic maneuver to complicate Pakistan’s participation in future tournaments.

“Well done, Jay Shah. You’ve killed two birds with one stone. You kill two birds with one stone, but Basit Ali kills three birds with one stone. Now let me give you some free advice. Try to shift the Asia Cup to some other country. Jay Shah could take a U-turn after my show” Ali said. Ali suggested that Pakistan might not travel to India for the Asia Cup if the BCCI refuses to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.

He claimed that Jay Shah’s decision to schedule the Asia Cup in India was 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,” he said.

While Pakistan has strongly objected to moving any Champions Trophy 2025 games out of the country, the BCCI has yet to make an official statement regarding India’s travel plans to Pakistan.

The former cricketer also praised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi for his strategic acumen, 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,” the ex-cricket concluded.

Pakistan is set to host its first major tournament since the 2008 Asia Cup and is making significant efforts to ensure the event’s success. However, India’s hesitation to travel for the Champions Trophy 2025 presents a substantial challenge for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Boycott concerns

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has indicated that Team India could potentially visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, pending government approval, despite the current uncertainty surrounding the trip. Speaking at the Uttar Pradesh Premier League players’ auction on Sunday, Shukla emphasized that government authorization is crucial for the Indian cricket team’s travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

Regarding the possibility of Pakistan pulling out of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka, Shukla remarked that they are free to express their opinions as they wish.

“Pakistan can say whatever it wants about coming to India during the 2026 World Cup, but we are only waiting for the approval of the Indian government,” Shukla said.

Meanwhile, a senior BCCI official acknowledged that the PCB might retaliate if India decides not to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming tournament.

“Of course, we expect retaliation. If we don’t travel to Pakistan, they will threaten to boycott the Asia Cup. But PCB should understand that it’s not in BCCI’s hands. Sending a team to a foreign country requires the government of India’s permission. So far, we have had dialogues regarding Champions Trophy. But we haven’t had any positive outcomes,” a senior BCCI official said.

The Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan in February-March 2025. Uncertainty over India’s participation has been a topic of discussion since the fixture was announced. The BCCI reportedly requested the ICC to either move the Champions Trophy out of Pakistan or schedule India’s matches at a neutral venue.

In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested written proof from the BCCI of the Indian government’s denial of permission if the team cites security concerns as a reason for not traveling. According to the tournament schedule, the Champions Trophy will commence in Karachi on February 19 and conclude with the final in Lahore on March 9, with several matches planned in Rawalpindi. A reserve day for the final is scheduled on March 10 in case of inclement weather.