The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023. As per the reports, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is planning to organize the Asia Cup without Pakistan while Sri Lanka will host the tournament in the month of September.
The PCB had proposed a hybrid model for the Asia Cup where 4-5 matches could be played in Pakistan. Later, the tournament can move to a neutral venue like the UAE or Sri Lanka for the second leg including the final of Asia Cup 2023. However, as per the reports, the BCCI is keen on organizing the tournament only at one venue i.e. Sri Lanka. Hence, they have clearly rejected the Hybrid model proposed by the PCB.
ACC gears up for Asia Cup without Pakistan
According to a report in The Telegraph, the PCB will be told at the next executive board meeting of the ACC that all other participating nations have agreed to play in Sri Lanka. Pakistan which is the host nation for the Asia Cup 2023 will then have to either play in Sri Lanka or pull out of the marquee tournament.
In case Pakistan decides to opt out of the tournament, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be the four teams that will compete in the Asia Cup. It is yet to be decided whether a fifth team will participate or not in the tournament which is scheduled in the month of September.
BCCI’s firm stand on rejecting the hybrid model proposed by the PCB could lead Pakistan to consider extreme measures for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. ICC chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice are currently in Lahore seeking assurance from Pakistan to participate in the World Cup.
“If the government says that we can play in India for the World Cup despite India not touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup then we will be ready to so,” PCB chief Najam Sethi told The Telegraph earlier this month.
The BCCI are quite firm on their stand for the 2023 ODI World Cup as well and will not agree if Pakistan wishes to play their matches at a neutral venue. “Play in India or nothing” has been the message that has been sent out to both the PCB and ICC. The ODI World 2023 is scheduled in the months of October-November later this year.