N※N

Hanif Khan urges shift of Asia Cup from India over security concerns

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. -asia-cup-from-india-over-security-concerns.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, October 4th 2025 at 22:25 GMT by Geo Super
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Pakistan’s Political Voice Calls for Asia Cup Relocation Amid Rising Security Concerns

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Pakistan’s former information minister and parliamentarian, Hanif Khan, has publicly urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift the upcoming Asia Cup from India. The call, made in an op‑ed published on Geo Super’s website on 18 September 2023, argues that the security situation in India poses a serious risk to the safety of players, officials, and fans alike. The piece has drawn attention from cricket boards, governments, and fans across South Asia, sparking a debate over the intersection of sport, security, and diplomacy.

The Context: The Asia Cup and Its Stakes

The Asia Cup, a biennial event organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has traditionally been a showcase of the continent’s cricketing talent, featuring teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the West Indies. The 2024 edition was slated to be played at a series of venues in India – notably the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Jaipur, and the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The ICC’s decision to award the tournament to India followed a review process that weighed factors such as infrastructure, broadcasting reach, and commercial viability.

However, Pakistan’s cricket board has long harbored concerns about the safety of its players in India. The tension dates back to the 2019–2020 “cricketing thaw” between the two nations, during which political and diplomatic disagreements frequently spilled onto the field. Although the two boards signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023, the underlying mistrust remains palpable.

Hanif Khan’s Argument: “Security First”

In his article, Hanif Khan cites several points to back his call for a venue change:

1. Recent Incidents: Khan references the 2022 “Delhi police raid” on a Pakistani cricket fan, which heightened concerns over fan safety. He also mentions the “Delhi police’s stringent security protocols” that could hinder the smooth flow of the tournament.

2. Political Tensions: The author argues that the political rivalry between India and Pakistan can spill over into the cricketing arena. “Sport is not isolated from politics,” he writes, “and the ICC must consider how political friction may jeopardize the safety of players and staff.”

3. Historical Precedent: Khan points to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, when the ICC relocated the final match from the original venue in Australia to a “neutral venue” in order to accommodate a growing crowd. He claims that the Asia Cup should follow suit in the face of security risks.

4. Financial Implications: He argues that the ICC will ultimately bear higher costs if incidents occur. “The ICC must avoid the risk of potential lawsuits, damage claims, and a blow to its reputation,” he notes.

5. Player Sentiment: Khan cites a 2023 survey of Pakistan’s national squad, which found that 84 % of players expressed apprehensions about traveling to India for the Asia Cup. He asserts that the ICC must give weight to player safety as a priority.

Potential Alternatives and Their Challenges

While Khan strongly advocates for moving the tournament to a neutral venue, he also outlines the practical options and associated hurdles:

• United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE has hosted major international cricket events, including the ICC World Test Championship finals, and boasts world‑class security. However, the cost of hosting could be prohibitive for the ACC, and the UAE’s limited cricketing infrastructure may hinder local fan engagement.

• Sri Lanka: The nation has a strong cricketing culture and the Colombo Cricket Club’s R. Premadasa Stadium is a proven venue. Yet, political instability in Sri Lanka and concerns over “terrorist threat” in the country have raised doubts among ICC officials.

• Neutral “home‑away” format: Khan also mentions the possibility of adopting a “home‑away” system for the semi‑finals and final, thereby reducing the concentration of teams in one country. This would complicate broadcasting agreements and logistical coordination.

Response from the Cricketing Community

Following the article’s publication, several stakeholders have weighed in. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement acknowledging Khan’s concerns but reiterated that it had no role in determining ICC venue decisions. “The PCB remains committed to ensuring the safety of Pakistani players,” the statement read.

The BCCI responded in a brief email to the media, emphasizing that India’s security apparatus is “world‑class” and that it would provide “unparalleled support” to all visiting teams. The BCCI also urged ICC officials to consider “the broader impact on bilateral relations” if the tournament were relocated.

Meanwhile, the ICC’s Security Advisory Committee has yet to issue a public statement. Sources close to the committee suggest that they are reviewing a risk assessment report that was released last week, which indicates a “low to moderate” threat level for the tournament venues in India.

The Diplomatic Ripple

Khan’s article has amplified calls for a deeper diplomatic dialogue between the two cricketing giants. Several journalists have highlighted that the Asia Cup serves as a “soft‑power instrument” for both nations. In the words of a senior sports analyst quoted in the piece, “If the ICC pulls out of India, it could be seen as a tacit acknowledgment of the underlying political tensions that have plagued South‑Asian cricket for decades.”

The call for relocation is not only a question of security but also of symbolism. The ICC’s decision to host the tournament in India has been seen by Pakistan as a sign of “progressive cooperation.” A shift, therefore, could be interpreted as a setback to the fragile diplomatic progress made over the past year.

Conclusion

Hanif Khan’s call to shift the Asia Cup from India underscores a lingering dilemma that sits at the crossroads of sport, politics, and security. While the ICC has yet to announce a definitive venue change, the debate has opened a window into the challenges that international sporting bodies face when politics and security concerns collide. As the cricketing world watches, it will be the ICC’s prudence, alongside the governments of India and Pakistan, that ultimately determines whether the Asia Cup can continue to be a platform for unity or will become a case study in how political tensions can undermine the spirit of sport.