Kamran Akmal urges Pakistan to boycott World Cup 2023 if India pulls out of Asia Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced that Team India will not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. However, a definitive decision on the venue for the continental tournament has been postponed until March.

In response to India’s decision, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier threatened to withdraw from the World Cup 2023 to be played in India. Many former cricketers of the country have voiced their support for PCB and urged Pakistan not to tour India.

Pakistan’s former wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal also echoed the same sentiment. In a recent interview, Akmal stated that Pakistan should not travel to India if the Men in Blue withdraw from the Asia Cup.

“If India does not agree to come for the Asia Cup, Pakistan should not go to India to play the World Cup 2023. Hamaari bhi respect hai (We have also respect). Pakistan are World Champions too. We have topped rankings in all formats and have won the Champions Trophy too. This is between two governments..until they are on the same page, the teams will not go with each other. We have to see how long it goes,” said Akmal.

Notably, the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 will be played in a 50-over format in September-October. India will be hosting the World Cup in October-November. However, it remains to be seen if Pakistan will travel to the neighbouring country or not.