There is still uncertainty surrounding whether or not India will participate in the Asia Cup 2023 scheduled for September in Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to withdraw from the ODI World Cup that follows a month later in India if India doesn't attend the Asia Cup. The controversy began when BCCI Secretary Jay Shah declared last year that the Asia Cup could be relocated to a neutral venue because India refuses to visit Pakistan. Since then, the BCCI and PCB, as well as former cricketers from both countries, have been embroiled in a never-ending argument. Notably, India and Pakistan only play in ICC events and Asia Cups, and they haven't played a bilateral series since Pakistan's visit to India in 2012-13. Despite this, former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is optimistic that relations between the two countries will improve, even predicting that India and Pakistan will face off in the finals of both the Asia Cup and the World Cup. "India and Pakistan will play in the finals of both the Asia Cup and the World Cup. India will visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup, and Pakistan will visit India for the World Cup. I am very optimistic that things will improve between India and Pakistan, and that trade will resume. I encourage people from both sides to promote positivity and reduce differences rather than burn bridges," Akhtar informed agencies Today.
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