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The Asia Cup 2023 began with Pakistan defeating Nepal in the tournament opener in Multan on August 30. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed 🦩were the standout performers for the Green Team in their victory, smashing brilliant tons.
Although Pakistan started their campaign on a high note, the host nation’s fan wasn’t very thrilled with the win as they were quick to notice the missing name of Pakistan under the Asia Cup logo on the team jerseys of both the home side and Nepal. The same was seen in the second match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, leading to a huge controversy and fans expressing their disappointment str𓆉aightaway.
Amidst this, the pictures of jersey photoshoots of other teams including India and Afghanistan also went viral with no name of Pakistan under the Asia Cup logo that further fueled up the debate on social media. Many even shared photos from last year’s edition, where every side had Sri Lanka’s name written on their t-shirts despite the tournament being held in UAE.
It is worth mentioning that the Asia Cup 2023 is being held in a hybrid mode💧l with Pakistan and Sri Lanka as co-hosts of the continental event after India refused to t꧙ravel to Pakistan. However, Pakistan are still the official host of the tournament.
Also READ: Pakistan legend Wasim Akram prediꦗcts favourites to lift the Asia Cupღ 2023 title
PCB issues a clarification after being slammed by fans and veteran cricketers
Apart from fans, a few former cricketers expressed their disappointment over the issue as well. Rashid Latif and Mohsin Khan were among many others to slam PCB and the Asia Cricket Council (ACC). Neverth💎eless, PCB came forward and issued a clarification stating ACC has decided not to include the names of✅ host nations on team jerseys from this edition of the Asia Cup.
The Pakistan board’s clarification also failed to calm down the situation as fans and experts blasted out at the PCB over not refusing the sudden change.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Does anyone know why the name of the host country is missing under the Asia Cup logo? It's always there, should be Pakistan written over 👀
Last year, it was Sri Lanka written over there bec🐽ause they were hosts despite the tournament being played in UAE.
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)
well I have a question, why th🥂ere is no name of host nation on the shirts, not even on Pakistan shirts ? last time the Asia cup was in UAE but the host name was written on the shirts so why not this time ?
— Fatima Masroor (@sheenuuuufan)
Very c♎onveniently Asian Cricket Council decided to not mention the host Pakistan’s name on the jerseys of all teams playin🐈g the Asia Cup. Giving the lamest excuse that they did this to bring “uniformity” in the jerseys.
— Syeda Abbas (@SyedaAbbas2)
Pakistan who are the Asia Cup tournament hosts are not named on the team shirts. Previously t𒀰he tournament hosts name has been on the shirts
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket)
This coward 🤡 running our Cricket Board who even couldn't took stand for the right of host name on teams jersey. Surrendered to Jay Shah with no resistance k " is lye k India ki jersey py Pakistan ka name na ho is lye host name hi urrwa dia" ||
— Beeper2.0🕊️ (@SeherFatima_)
They placed hurdles in your way. They denied us hosting rights. They refused to come. They've even removed host country name from Jerseys.
But despite all odds, You are here after 15 long years.
Dear Asia Cup, Welcome to Pakistan!
Let the Action begins.— Saad Chandna (@SaadChandna)
I'm not very excited now..Pakistan is hosting the Asia Cup..First, they didn't hold all the matches in Pakistan…And now, Pakistan's name is not even on the kit..And India's name is on the World Cup kit.. PCB chairman chahy Zaka ashraf ho ya najam sethi srf baatain hi kr skty..
— Aroona♡ (@Aroonaa_22)
Also READ: India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023 – Aakash Chopra reveals his combined XI
