The hybrid host format for the Asia Cup 2023 has not pleased Zaka Ashraf, who is set to succeed Najam Sethi as PCB chairman. And in the latest development, Ashraf has assured that he “will not block” the decision taken by his predecessor.
Ashraf “rejected” the hybrid model during a media interview on Wednesday, which sparked a controversy about whether or not talks about the specifics of the Asia Cup 2023 would have to resume. But later to ESPNcricinfo in a turn of events, he told that “the decision has been made, so we have to go with it.”
“In my personal opinion, this whole hybrid model isn’t beneficial for Pakistan and I didn’t like it,” Ashraf said. “Being a host, Pakistan should have negotiated better to make sure that the entire tournament should have played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka taking the bigger lot of games, leaving Pakistan with only four games, isn’t in the best interest of our country.”
“But I see the decision has been made, so we have to go with it. I will not block or have any intention not to comply with the decision. I cannot do much about it but to honour the commitment. But going forward, every decision we make will be made for and in the interest of the country.”
WATCH Zaka Ashraf’s press conference
Asia Cup 2023 and the curious case of Hybrid Model
The Asia Cup 2023 was originally going to be held exclusively in Pakistan, but Sethi suggested a hybrid format instead after the BCCI indicated India wouldn’t travel there.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) later approved Sethi’s proposal. This model suggests that Pakistan will host four, possibly five, of the tournament’s 13 games. All other matches, including all India-Pakistan contests and, should India advance, the championship game, will be held in Sri Lanka.
In addition to Sri Lanka, the UAE was a potential neutral location, although Bangladesh voiced reservations about the region’s harsh weather in September. After several weeks of in-depth deliberations, the ACC agreed to the PCB’s suggestion that the event be held in two nations.
Although Ashraf made these remarks in his individual position, the country’s prime minister selected him and Supreme Court attorney Mustafa Ramday to join the PCB’s board of governors.
As a result, Ashraf is anticipated to succeed Sethi as the new PCB chair. Up until Tuesday, when he withdrew from consideration to lead the PCB, Sethi served as the chairman of the interim management committee.
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