Media reports emerged that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly received support from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to move this year’s Asia Cup out of Pakistan.
This is a big setback for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) who was planning to schedule the elite continental tournament in the nation.
Furthermore, according to the reports by Geo Sports, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are both eager to host the tournament if it is relocated from Pakistan.
Notably, the BCCI previously has refused to send its team to Pakistan for the competition and demanded that the Asia Cup must be staged in a neutral location.
In an effort to appease the BCCI, PCB then developed a “Hybrid Model” for the upcoming Asia Cup, which has not yet been approved by ACC. Pakistan will host its games, while India will play its games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as per this model.
Not to forget that PCB supremo Najam Sethi has clearly indicated that Pakistan will not play in Asia Cup 2023 if the tournament is relocated from their nation.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) may potentially think about replacing the Men in Green with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if Pakistan really decides not to participate in the Asia Cup.
The broadcasters have also been guaranteed by Jay Shah, the president of the ACC and secretary of the BCCI, that the losses incurred owing to Pakistan’s absence will be made up for during a series involving India in the near future.
No ‘Hybrid Model’ for BCCI
According to other sources of Geo Sports, the Narendra Modi-led Indian Government has instructed the BCCI to take a tough position at the subsequent ACC conference.
The hybrid concept put out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which would have given India the option to play its matches at a neutral location, is also unlikely to be approved by the BCCI.
PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi had urged a logical strategy to resolve the situation, which threatens the country’s participation in this year’s ODI World Cup and the successful hosting of the Asia Cup.
Speaking to The Daily Morning Sports, an official from SLC rebuked reports regarding their support towards BCCI to move the Asia Cup out of Pakistan. However, the official mentioned that, SLC is against the Hybrid Model suggested by PCB due to high logistic costs involved in it.