Asia Cup 2023: Resolve issue if you aspire to become ICC chairman in future - Najam Sethi to Jay Shah

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has suggested BCCI secretary Jay Shah to resolve the Asia Cup 2023 issue amicably if at all he aspired to become the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the future.

Notably, the BCCI has decided against sending the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the continental showpiece event. The two countries haven't participated in any bilateral series since 2012-13 due to the strained political relations. India last played a match in Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2018.

"I think Jay [Shah] is a young man, he aspires to be the head of the ICC. My advice to my young friend would be if you want to be a leader, you have to keep the herd together, keep the flock together," Sethi told Associated Press (AP)

"Don't let it be said that when you were in the chair in the ACC, the ACC broke up," Sethi suggested Shah who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Sethi also alleged that India was the only Asian country having issues with the PCB, adding that Pakistan have stood with the members of the ACC in the hours of need.

"When the Australians pulled out of their matches with Afghanistan we said we will step in and bail you out so that you get some money out of these matches.

"We've been very forthcoming in supporting members who will end up in some sort of trouble ... now we don't have any issues and the others don't have any issues with us. It's just India," he said.

India reportedly want Asia Cup 2023 to be held entirely on a neutral venue. Pakistan, on the other hand, want a hybrid model in which in which all matches apart from those involving India will be held on their own soil. The model allows India to play their matches at neutral venues.

"Until India is ready to play Pakistan bilaterally and in Pakistan, let's have a hybrid solution," Sethi said.

"I have not been threatening anybody, give me a break," Sethi said. "I am trying to be positive and find a way out of this problem. I could have easily said that if India is not going to come and play in Pakistan, we will not play in India, but I tried to find a hybrid model."

However, it's unlikely that India will accept the hybrid model offer from the PCB.