The ongoing saga around the Asia Cup's venue has reached new heights as the chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Jay Shah, took a unilateral step to shift the cricket matches from Hambantota to Colombo. This sudden announcement has caused quite a stir, especially within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The ACC, in an email communication to the PCB, confirmed the venue change, sparking an immediate and strong response from the latter. Citing the lack of collaboration and decision-making transparency, PCB officials have registered their protest against this unexpected move.

The depth of PCB's concerns is further highlighted by their immediate demand for an ACC meeting. According to insiders within PCB, this meeting is set to witness vocal opposition to such high-handed decisions, emphasising the importance of collective and collaborative decision-making within the council.

The controversy deepens considering the ACC's unanimous agreement the previous night to host matches in Colombo, only to revert to Hambantota the very next day. This shift in decisions within such a short timeframe has left many stakeholders within the cricketing world puzzled, urging the ACC to clarify the underlying reasons behind this move.

As the cricketing world watches closely, Pakistan eagerly anticipates an amicable resolution. The nation's cricket enthusiasts stress the significance of transparent governance and the spirit of mutual respect in such international tournaments.

Reporter Hafiz Shahbaz