In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, renowned cricket commentator Aakash Chopra shared his views on Pakistan’s participation in the highly anticipated Asian Cup 2023.
Despite most of the matches being scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, Aakash Chopra considered Pakistan’s participation a foregone conclusion, given the circumstances surrounding the tournament.
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Initially, the fate of the Asian Cup was uncertain, with India refusing to play matches in Pakistan, while the latter stuck to its stance not to host the event elsewhere. However, a resolution was reached via a hybrid model, with four games scheduled to take place in Pakistan and the remaining fixtures in Sri Lanka.
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Aakash Chopra, who was not surprised by this development, shared his thoughts in the video, acknowledging India’s decision and emphasizing Pakistan’s presence at the World Cup, which is expected under ICC regulations governing participation.
He stated, “I’m not a bit surprised because India refused to go and they are not going. Pakistan will also come to play the World Cup, there is no doubt about that because you cannot do that in the ICC events that you will not play.
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Asian Cup without Pakistan is pizza without topping: Aakash Chopra
Furthermore, the former Indian opener highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s inclusion in the Asian Cup, drawing an analogy to illustrate his point. Comparing the tournament without Pakistan to a pizza without its essential ingredients, Aakash emphasized that the absence of the Pakistan team would certainly diminish the enjoyment of the competition.
Aakash Chopra expressed his desire for Pakistan to get involved, stating: “You can flex your muscles a bit in the Asian Cup, you can say you won’t play and other teams can play without you if they want. The Asian Cup without Pakistan is like a pizza without topping. It won’t be nice. So you want Pakistan to be there in the Asian Cup.”
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In a bid to secure hosting rights for the continental tournament, Pakistan had previously threatened to boycott both the Asian Cup and the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be held in India later this year.
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As it stands, the Asia Cup 2023 will take place in a hybrid format, ensuring that cricket fans around the world will be able to witness Pakistan’s participation alongside other prominent Asian cricket teams. The tournament promises to feature exciting matches and intense rivalries, adding to the overall excitement surrounding the event.
In conclusion, Aakash Chopra’s views on the importance of Pakistan’s presence at the 2023 Asia Cup shed light on the ongoing discussions and negotiations that ultimately led to the adoption of a hybrid model. As cricket fans eagerly await the tournament, the inclusion of the Pakistani team is expected to add an extra layer of excitement and competitiveness to the event, ensuring a memorable spectacle for all involved.
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