Jay Shah blasts 'deliberate and mischievous' rumour mongering by Pakistan ahead of Asia Cup 2023

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BCCI secretary Jay Shah has blasted Pakistan media reports suggesting that he would be visiting the neighbouring country during the Asia Cup 2023. Shah has said the rumours have been spread 'deliberately or mischievously', adding that he would not be travelling to Pakistan.

“I have not agreed to anything. This is just plain miscommunication. Probably done deliberately or mischievously. I’ll not be making any visit," Jay Shah told News18 CricketNext on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, Pakistan's Dawn quoted Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari saying that Jay Shah has accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Interim Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf.

“I just spoke with Zaka Ashraf and he told me that he has invited Jay Shah to visit Pakistan and witness the security arrangements firsthand,” Mazari told Dawn on Tuesday. “Shah has accepted the invitation and has also invited Zaka in return to visit India ahead of the World Cup.”

IPL chairman Arun Dhamal, who is in Durban for the ICC Chief Executives Meet (CEC), has also quashed the rumours. Dhumal said no such discussions took place and only the schedule for the Asia Cup 2023 was finalised.

"Our secretary met PCB head Zaka Ashraf and the Asia Cup schedule was finalized and it is on course as it was discussed earlier. There will be four games of the league stage in Pakistan, followed by nine games in Sri Lanka including both India versus Pakistan game and in case a third game if both teams play final."

“There was no such discussion held. Neither India is traveling to Pakistan nor our secretary will be traveling contrary to reports that have surfaced. Only the schedule was finalized," he added.

Four league stage matches will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka will host nine fixtures in the hybrid model. India and Pakistan are likely to lock horns in Sri Lanka's Dambulla. The Asia Cup 2023 will reportedly take place from August 31 to September 17.