The Pakistan Cricket Board has urged the ICC to persuade the BCCI to approve a hybrid model for the Asia Cup in a latest effort.
As the Asia Cup 2023 impasse continues, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has sent an SOS to the International Cricket Council (ICC). PCB wants ICC to force BCCI to adopt hybrid model. While the PCB had threatened to boycott the tournament if the hybrid model is not adopted, the BCCI believes that will not be the case and Pakistan will play the tournament.
“They are just reactions. PCB knows very well the position they are in and any money that comes in is important to them. I don’t think Pakistan can boycott. They will play in the Asia Cup and World Championships. For now, they are doing everything to keep it, but it will not work.” A senior BCCI official, who is in London for the WTC final, told InsideSport on Tuesday.
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What is PCB Asia Cup 2023 Hybrid Model?
- In the new hybrid model, the tournament will be held in two halves.
- In the first round, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal.
- In the 2nd round, India’s matches will be played at neutral ground.
- Sri Lanka is the preferred destination as the heat pits India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka against the UAE.
- A neutral venue will also host the final even if India fails to qualify or Pakistan plays the final.
When senior ICC officials, including chairman Greg Barkley and chief executive Jeff Allardyce, visited Pakistan last week, Sethi had a detailed discussion on the Asia Cup.
It is worth noting that the ICC is concerned about strained relations between India and Pakistan with the two countries hosting two ICC events in 2023 and 2025 respectively.
“We will find out next week as there is an ACC meeting in Dubai after the WTC. There are some concerns that need to be addressed and after that we will have the Asian Cup schedule.” said the official.
If Pakistan pulls out of the Asia Cup from 2023, it will be a big blow to the 2023 World Cup as well. Pakistan may refuse to play in India. Moreover, there will be another round of discussion when Pakistan hosts the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India may once again opt out of fielding a team.
ICC and BCCI officials are currently in London. They will meet and discuss the next course of action officially at the Oval as part of the WTC finale.
In any case, it is not until next week that the fate of the Asia Cup will be decided when BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and Najam Sethi both meet at the ACC meet in Dubai.
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