'Tere ko kuch pucha kya' - Fans react as Babar Azam says Asia Cup 2023 should have been hosted only in Pakistan

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said that he does not want to make a big issue out of the Asia Cup being co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But he reckons that it would have been good if the entire tournament would have been played in Pakistan. Initially, Pakistan were given the hosting rights for the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup.

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However, frosty bilateral relations with India meant they could not travel to Pakistan for the continental tournament. At the last minute after a lot of fighting, Sri Lanka was made co-host and also given co-hosting rights. Pakistan were awarded four games on home soil. The first game will take place at the Multan Cricket Stadium on August 30 against Nepal.

We are ready for back to back games and travel -Babar Azam

"If you ask me, it would have been good if the whole tournament would have been held in Pakistan, but unfortunately, nothing can be done about it," Babar said at the pre-match conference ahead of the first match against Nepal. "As professionals, we are ready for any schedule that is given to us. There would be travelling as well as back-to-back games and we are ready for that," Babar added.

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Pakistan will play the first game at home and then fly down to Sri Lanka for the big game against India which will take place on September 2 at Pallekele. Again in 24 hours they will be back at home and play a Super Four fixture. Then on September 9, they play another Super Four game this time in Sri Lanka. The Asia Cup will be held in ODI format ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Barring India, all the other Asian nations will have to do some travel which can be very taxing for the players. "Our coaches and support staff have chalked out plans about how much we would utilise each player and also we have booked our flights in such a manner, that our travelling schedule gives enough time to rest," Babar said when he further talked about the schedule.

Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:

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Just like 2018 Asia Cup should have been played in India but unfortunately India accepted Pakistan's concerns and opted to hosting it in UAE. Stop crying about it. Look at your own stains first and then point the finger at us.

— Namrata (@namratrm) August 29, 2023

..koi baat nahi pic.twitter.com/CbARQm5hwC

— hsb (@hsb230197) August 29, 2023

pic.twitter.com/1gXBvKFaUg

— Ayush Chaudhary (@ayush2511Anand) August 29, 2023

Babar pic.twitter.com/kLqo8t1RA3

— Sudhanshu Ranjan Singh (@memegineers_) August 29, 2023

Sorry we don't want highways for these tournaments.

— DJ_Here (@DJHere5) August 29, 2023

So you can statpad in all matches?

— Cat Bro 😺 (@SuperBro07) August 29, 2023

Absolutely .....
But the issue is its unsafe to play there
Military rule behind the facade of a parliament

— Cynic (@Cynic53665244) August 30, 2023

There is no problem in organising any tournament in Pakistan but the thing is of concern is Safety...I can understand that Pakistan people also wants to watch match in their country but Pakistan needs to do something with safety as earlier also safety issues have raised.

— Harsh Das (@Harrshhh_) August 29, 2023

jhuk ke rehna padega BCCI ke aage💪🏻🤣

— A📖🕉️ (@inevitable__31) August 29, 2023

To rahne do fir,Mt khelo

— Vipin Singh🇮🇳 (@ImVipVipSingh) August 29, 2023