‘Jaan ka khatra ho sakta hai’ – Fans react as PCB invites Jay Shah for Asia Cup 2023 opener

The Asia Cup 2023 is set to begin on August 30 in Multan, Pakistan. Pakistan and Nepal will be clashing in the momentous opener as the marquee continental competition kicks off. Notably, all cricket board heads of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have been sent invitations to attend the opening ceremony and the opening game of the competition. This includes Indian Cricket Board’s honorary secretary Jay Shah.

As such, it is important to mention that India and Pakistan were involved in a long disagreement over the conduct of the Asia Cup. Pakistan wanted sole hosting rights whereas India were not willing to travel to Pakistan on grounds of security concerns, given the geopolitical tensions between the two neighbouring countries. However, it was later decided that the competition will take place in a hybrid mode with Sri Lanka hosting India’s matches. The island nation will also host the majority of the knockouts, given there are plenty of chances for India to qualify.

Zaka Ashraf extended a verbal invitation to Jay Shah earlier  

A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board opened up on the invitation sent to Jay Shah. “The PCB has basically followed up on the invitation which was extended verbally by Chairman Zaka Ashraf to Jay Shah when they both met in Durban for the Apex Council meeting,” the source said. “The PCB was obviously embarrassed after the Pakistani media reported that Jay Shah had accepted Zaka Ashraf’s invitation and the Indian board official later flatly denied this,” they added.

Interestingly, the arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, can faceoff as many as three times in the continental competition. India will open their campaign with the compulsory group stage clash against Pakistan on September 2 at Kandy, Sri Lanka. They have the chance to clash again in the Super Four stages and the final of the tournament, given the two Asian heavyweights qualify. The two teams will also meet in the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on October 14.

Here’s how fans reacted: