'Have No Doubts Mr Jay Shah, Pakistan is Ready': Shahid Afridi's Explosive Reply Amid Asia Cup Security Concerns

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi hit back at BCCI secretary Jay Shah after the latter released a statement citing security concerns regarding hosting the Asia Cup 2023 entirely in Pakistan. Shah pointed out that the stakeholders were not sure about having the entire edition of the continental tournament in Pakistan given the security issues and the nation’s economic woes.

Afridi however took to social media and pointed out the tournaments India’s neighbours have hosted in the recent past, apart from also claiming that Pakistan is ready to host India in the Champions Trophy 2025.

ALSO READ| PCB Wants Compensation from ACC for Loss of Asia Cup 2023 Gate Money: Report

“I came across Mr @JayShah’s statement about security situation in Pakistan. Just to refresh his memory, Pakistan has hosted the following foreign players/teams in the past six years

2017 – ICC World XI & SL

2018 – WI

2019 – WI (W), BD (W) & SL

2020 – BD, PSL, MCC & Zim

2021 – WI, PSL, SA & WI

2022 – Aus, PSL, WI, BD U19, Ireland (W) & Eng (2),

2023 – NZ (2), PSL, Women’s Exhibition Matches, #AsiaCup2023 (Nep, SL, Afg & BD) & SA (W),” read Afridi’s post on X (formerly Twitter).

The post further read, “Have no doubts Mr Shah, Pakistan is ready to host @BCCI at the #ICCChampionsTrophy2025.”

This, after Jay Shah had earlier released a statement about why UAE were not kept in consideration to co-host the 2023 edition of Asia Cup, and it is being hosted in Sri Lanka, despite the fact that rain has threatened many games including the India vs. Pakistan Group A clash which was washed out.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi attacked BCCI on social media, citing the rain issues, stating that it would have been better off if the entire tournament was played in Pakistan.

ALSO READ| ‘We’re Always Ready For a Big Match’: Babar Azam on IND vs PAK Match After Dominant Win Over Bangladesh

“All the full members, media rights holders, and in-stadia rights holders were initially hesitant to commit to hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan due to concerns related to the security and economic situation prevailing in the country,” Shah had said in his statement.

The first Super 4 clash of Asia Cup was played in Lahore where Pakistan defeated Bangladesh and the rest of the matches will be played in Colombo including the final which will played on Sunday, September 17.