Shoaib Akhtar Wants Asia Cup 2023 To Take Place In Sri Lanka If Not In Pakistan

15.03.2023 - 20:55 sports.ndtv.com

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar said that he wants the Asia Cup 2023 tournament to be held in Sri Lanka if not in Pakistan.

Akhtar who is currently playing in the Legends League Cricket Masters in Qatar, also wants that India and Pakistan play in the finals of the Asia Cup and World Cup.

Apart from Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan also have the hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy. "I want Asia Cup 2023 to be held in Pakistan if not Pakistan then Sri Lanka.

I want to see India and pakistan play the final in Asia Cup and World Cup. Nothing else should happen in world cricket just India and Pakistan finals," Shoaib Akhtar told ANI.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have been in discussions with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over an appropriate model for the Asia Cup which is to be held this year in Pakistan. After the BCCI confirmed its reluctance to to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the continental event, a 'hybrid model' has been talked about in the media. In a statement on Friday, the PCB confirmed that the 'hybrid model' is presently under discussion, no talk has taken place to replicate the same model in the World Cup which is to take place in India later this year.

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Watch: Pakistan Youngster's Bouncer To Afghanistan Star Reminds Shoaib Akhtar Of His Body Blow To Brian Lara

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"If Pathans And Bengalis...:" 'Happy' Shoaib Akhtar Reacts To Pakistan's T20I Series Loss vs Afghanistan

Afghanistan secured a historic series triumph over Pakistan, beating Shadab Khan & Co. in the first and the second T20I series to take an unassailable 2-0 lead. Having sealed the fate of the series with one match to spare, Afghanistan drew plaudits from the entire cricketing fraternity. Even Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar said that he was 'very happy' by Afghanistan's win and backed them to do well at the forthcoming ODI World Cup which is to be held in India.

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