Ashish Ranjan
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his opinion on the hybrid format of the 2023 Asia Cup. Due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan and Pakistan’s refusal to allow the event to be held in another country, the forthcoming edition of the continental championship was in jeopardy. However, all participating nations have consented to hold the tournament in a hybrid format, with four games scheduled to be played in Pakistan and the remaining matches in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup, despite the majority of games being played on the island, was predicted by Chopra. In addition, the commentator was confident that Pakistan would participate in the impending Cricket World Cup, as they cannot simply boycott ICC mega-events.
“I am not the least bit astonished, given India’s refusal to go and the fact that they are not going. Pakistan will also participate in the World Cup, there is no doubt about that, as you cannot behave in such a manner at ICC events in which you do not participate, Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.
The former India opener went on to say that if a team decides not to participate in the Asia Cup, other teams can enter the competition without them. According to the 45-year-old, the Asia Cup without Pakistan is comparable to pizza without cheese. Pakistan should participate in the continental competition, he added, or the event will not be pleasurable.
“You can show some muscle in the Asia Cup by refusing to participate and allowing other teams to play without you if they so choose. Without Pakistan, the Asia Cup is like a pizza without toppings. It will be unpleasant. Therefore, you want Pakistan to participate in the Asia Cup, he continued.
Now that the schedule has been determined, India and Pakistan will meet once again in the Asia Cup: Chopra Aakash Chopra added that it has always been established that India will not visit Pakistan while Pakistan will visit India. The 45-year-old believes that the lengthy debate regarding the location of the continental tournament has finally been resolved. He added that everyone will be able to see India and Pakistan clash again in the Asia Cup, and he was thrilled that Nepal qualified for the tournament.
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“It has always been confirmed that India will not travel to Pakistan, and that Pakistan will travel to India. The time for posturing has passed. I trust this ends the debate, as the discussions were ongoing and nothing was being resolved. It has been decided that India and Pakistan will once again compete in the Asia Cup. Nepal, a country on the rise, will be a part of India’s cohort this time, Chopra concluded.
