Pakistan's former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said there is no reason left for India to not come to Pakistan to play in the Asia Cup this year.
Sarfaraz, while speaking to media in Karachi on Tuesday, said all the teams came and played in Pakistan in the recent past.
"There is no reason left for India to not come to Pakistan for Asia Cup. It is our right to host international events as recently top teams came and played here," said Sarfraz who led Pakistan to victory in the final against India to lift the first-ever Champions Trophy in 2017.
Sarfaraz credited the country's law and enforcement agencies for making sure of the safety of top teams in the country.
"Our government and security agencies worked really hard to make international teams comfortable in the country. ICC and ACC should make sure that teams travel to Pakistan during mega events," he said.
The cricketer also gave an example of the hospitality given to top teams during their Pakistan tour.
"You will never see such hospitality that teams get here in Pakistan. People here want to watch Indian players playing. It is so important for both the nations to strengthen cricket ties," he concluded.
Asia Cup 2023, which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan this September, hangs in balance since India refused to travel to its neigbours due to political differences. Citing their government's disapproval, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) already made it clear that they will not play the Asian event in Pakistan.
The deadlock between the two countries continues as BCCI is forcing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members to support their stance of shifting the tournament to a neutral venue.
However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not agreed to BCCI as they want to host the event at their home. Instead, they offered a hybrid model to BCCI which would see India playing their matches on a neutral venue. The Indian board refused the offer.
The next 48 hours are deemed crucial to decide the fate of the Asia Cup 2023. PCB Management Committee chairman, Najam Sethi, is currently in Dubai where he will hold talks with officials of the ACC to resolve the issue regarding the venue of the event.