PCB recommends Asia Cup “hybrid approach” to assure India’s participation
Pakistan would not participate in this year’s Asia Cup if it is denied hosting rights due to India’s fears about travelling the neighbouring nation due to security concerns.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting on Monday was insufficient to break the deadlock between the body and the Pakistan Cricket Board over the matter, which has been hanging in the balance since ACC president Jay Shah expressly proclaimed last year that the Asia Cup will not be held in Pakistan, citing India’s impossibility to travel across the border if the government’s authorization is not granted.
The ACC Men’s Premier Cup – an integral part of ACC's new pathway structure gets underway on the 18th of April in Nepal. 10 Associate nations will battle it out for the title and the winner will directly qualify for the Men’s Asia Cup 2023. #ACCMensPremierCup #ACC pic.twitter.com/P9ybK6W4qs
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) March 23, 2023
The ACC, on the other hand, has gone back to the drawing board to come up with a “hybrid format” for the event, which would most likely see India play their matches at a different location.
Even in such an event, it is thought that the PCB would guarantee that Pakistan reaps the most benefits as the true hosts of the Asia Cup, with Pakistan playing all of their matches at home (excluding those against India) and the highest number of matches being conducted in the nation.
HBLPSL8: What a great NATIONAL effort! What great entertainment! Thank you govts, security agencies, foreign players, broadcasters, fans and Team @TheRealPCB
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) March 18, 2023
Before coming to the ACC meeting, current PCB chairman Najam Sethi maintained the scathing tone, saying, “It’s important to see how other members of ACC look at our stance on Asia Cup. What they think is important, but in the end, we must realise how much clout the BCCI with its financial power carries in world cricket.”
The PCB’s plan seeks a middle ground in which non-Indian matches are played in Pakistan and Indian matches are played elsewhere. The UAE, Oman, Bangladesh, and even England were mentioned as probable destinations for the Indian team’s matches. But, whether the other nations who would face the Men in Blue would agree to it remains an open topic so the ACC did not reach a consensus.
An incredible feat for Asian cricket! The top 4 highest wicket-takers in ODI history are all from Asia. #Muralitharan & #WasimAkram with 500+ wickets, and #WaqarYounis & #ChamindaVaas with 400+. A proud moment for the ACC and testament to the bowling talent in the region! #ACC pic.twitter.com/b9eted7hzK
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) March 23, 2023
India and Pakistan have been put in the same group for the Asia Cup, and the two arch-rivals may face each other three times (pool match, super four and the final).
The ACC is scheduled to submit comments on the hybrid model to the PCB in the coming weeks for evaluation and approval.
