Pakistan’s former fast bowler, Junaid Khan, has stirred up a controversy by criticizing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not agreeing to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023. Junaid has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to act on the matter and stated that Pakistan is not a small team and remains among the top three cricket-playing nations in the world.
India had suggested the event be held at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan, which Junaid believes is unnecessary as there are no security problems in his country. He has questioned India’s position of not touring Pakistan, asking if they are “aliens from another world” who have security problems.
Junaid has urged the ICC to look into the matter, adding that cricket without Pakistan is impossible. He also reminded everyone that just a few days ago, Pakistan was the world’s number one team and is still among the top three teams.
Junaid had played 22 Test matches, 76 ODIs, and 9 T20Is for Pakistan. He was once known to be Virat Kohli’s nemesis after dismissing him in all three ODI matches in India during Pakistan’s tour to India in late 2012. However, his career was marred with injuries, and he played his last game for Pakistan almost three years back in 2019.
The controversy surrounding the Asia Cup 2023 has taken a new twist with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh expressing their interest in hosting the tournament, according to several media reports.