As Asia Cup 2023 deadlock continues, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has sent an SOS to the International Cricket Council (ICC). PCB wants ICC to force BCCI in accepting the hybrid model. While PCB had threatened to boycott the tournament if the hybrid model is not accepted, BCCI believes it won’t be the case and Pakistan will play the tournament.
“Those are just immediate reactions. PCB very well knows what position they are in and any money that comes through is important for them. I don’t think Pakistan can boycott. They will play in Asia Cup and World Cup. For the moment, they are trying whatever they can to keep it but it’s not going to happen,” a senior BCCI official who is in London for the WTC Final told InsideSport on Tuesday.
Also Read: Big win for BCCI as SLC, BCB & ACB shoot down PCB’s Asia Cup hybrid model
What is PCB’s Asia Cup 2023 Hybrid Model?
- In the new hybrid model, the tournament will be played in two halves.
- In the first phase, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal.
- The 2nd phase will have India’s matches at a neutral venue.
- Sri Lanka is the preferred destination as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are opposing UAE due to heat.
- The neutral venue will also host the final even if India fail to qualify or Pakistan play the final.
When ICC top brass, including President Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice, visited Pakistan last week, Sethi had a detailed discussion on the Asia Cup row.
it should be noted that ICC is concerned with the strained ties between India and Pakistan with both countries hosting two ICC events in 2023 and 2025 respectively.
“We will know next week as there will be an ACC meeting in Dubai after WTC. There are some concerns that need addressing and after that we will have the schedule for Asia Cup,” the official said.
If Pakistan does pull out of Asia Cup 2023, it will be a huge blow to World Cup 2023 as well. Pakistan can refuse to play in India. Furthermore, another round of discussion will be on the table when Pakistan hosts ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India can once again refuse to send the team.
ICC officials and BCCI officials are currently in London. They will meet and discuss the next course of action officially on the sidelines of WTC Final at the Oval.
In any case, by next week, the fate of Asia Cup will be decided with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and Najam Sethi both set to face off at ACC meeting in Dubai.
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