IT was an uncalled-for statement, especially when Pakistan held its allotted matches of the Asia Cup, which it was supposed to host in full. Perhaps emotions got the better of Asian Cricket Council president Jay Shah, who is also the secretary of the Board of Cricket Control in India.

Criticised for scheduling the Asia Cup after the India-Pakistan clash in the Sri Lankan town of Pallekele was reduced to a damp squib, Mr Shah refused to entertain the offer by the Pakistan Cricket Board to shift matches of the Super Four stage from rainy Colombo to drier Lahore.

Hambantota also got a mention. Sri Lanka had been BCCI’s choice of venue after it claimed its government had refused to allow its team to travel to Pakistan. That refusal saw a hybrid model was agreed upon, allowing Pakistan to stage some matches.

Instead of a simple statement regarding the choice to retain Colombo, Mr Shah stated that teams had been reluctant to play the entire tournament in Pakistan due to security and economic challenges, though Pakistan hosted at least a game each of every participating team apart from India.

Further, BCCI president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajiv Shukla visited Pakistan to witness the matches — the first trip by BCCI officials here since 2008. Mr Shah also cited changes in PCB as a reason for ‘back-and-forth negotiations’.

All this for a request to change the host city is excessive and irked the PCB, which has lodged an official protest with Mr Shah. Sunday’s India-Pakistan Super Four match in Colombo also faces the threat of rain, forcing PCB to include a reserve day.

In effect, Mr Shah is running the tournament that PCB was supposed to host. Even Indian analysts agree that his position as ACC chief is a conflict of interest due to his BCCI role. Cricket will continue to be politicised for as long as he remains the ACC chief.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2023