The Pakistan Cricket Board is being criticized because Pakistan’s name is not included in the official Asia Cup logo on the teams’ jerseys.
Although the tournament is being held in two countries, including Sri Lanka, in the first Hybrid model, Pakistan is the designated host of the Asia Cup 2023.
Rashid Latif, a former captain, expressed dissatisfaction with the PCB after Pakistan played against Nepal in the tournament opener.
He found it embarrassing for Pakistan cricket and mentioned that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) should promptly explain this mishap as it is responsible for the Asia Cup.
PCB’s explanation that the ACC decided not to omit the host country’s name on the logo after last year’s Asia Cup fell on deaf ears. Most Pakistani former players and fans, including those who will watch Asia Cup 2023 in USA, were not satisfied with this explanation.
Mohsin Khan, also seeking clarification from the ACC to this change of tradition, was quick to point out that the host country’s name in other tournaments was printed on the shirts along with the tournaments’ logo.
Mohshin cited recent tournaments less significant to the Asia Cup, like the Asian Emerging Nations Cup and the Asian under-16 event held in Malaysia in July.
The 2023 Asia Cup is the first major multi-team event in 15 years that Pakistan is hosting.
Four of the thirteen matches will be held in Pakistan, while the remaining nine, including Pakistan’s grudge match with India and the final, will take place in Sri Lanka.
Whether ACC’s explanation is forthcoming or not, Pakistan fans will forget their country name’s absence from the logo, albeit momentarily, as they watch India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 in USA and around the world.
This matchup against their arch-rivals is considered the most significant fixture in this year’s Asia Cup.
