Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan may be out of Asia Cup, India got support of three countries on hybrid model
Pakistan Cricket Board may get a big blow regarding the organization of Asia Cup 2023. PCB chairman Najam Sethi had proposed to conduct Asia Cup on hybrid model if the Indian team did not come to Pakistan. However, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have rejected this ‘hybrid model’ of Pakistan. It is believed that the host Pakistan may withdraw from the Asia Cup cricket tournament to be held in September.
With three countries rejecting the ‘hybrid model’, Pakistan has only two options in which to conduct the tournament at a neutral venue. On the other hand, Pakistan should not participate in the tournament and withdraw. If Pakistan decides to withdraw from this tournament, then the Asia Cup will be held without Pakistan. Earlier also Asia Cup has been organized without Pakistan.
Explain that according to the hybrid model proposed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi, Pakistan was to have three or four matches of the Asia Cup at home, while India’s matches could be played at a neutral venue. The idea was mooted after India declined to tour Pakistan due to security concerns. A source with knowledge of the matter said, “Now it is just a formality that the members of the Executive Board of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) should meet virtually or in the presence of the members.” Now it is known that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are not supporting its proposal of hybrid model for Asia Cup.
The source said that Sethi is already in touch with the members of his Cricket Management Committee and concerned government officials to discuss Pakistan’s stand in case it does not get the chance to host the Asia Cup matches at home. Sethi has repeatedly said that he will not take part in the tournament if the tournament is held in a neutral country instead of Pakistan and the source said that the PCB may boycott the Asia Cup. An ACC source said, “Pakistan has only two options. Play the tournament at a neutral venue or withdraw from the tournament. “He said,” If Pakistan does not play, it will still be called Asia Cup but the broadcaster will renegotiate the deal in the absence of Pakistan.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and India have all taken the stand that it is not logistically or financially possible to host the Asia Cup in Pakistan as well as any other country and that it should be held in one country, Sri Lanka as India travels to Pakistan. does not make. The source also said that there is a possibility that this year’s Asia Cup may get canceled altogether and India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan may play a multi-team event in the 50-over format before the World Cup.
“There is every possibility that the Asia Cup will not happen this year as without Pakistan and India matches, the broadcasters are unlikely to offer the same amount that they would have offered to the ACC if Pakistan was present,” the source said. The source said that India is also preparing to organize a tournament of four or five countries at home at the same time in case of no Asia Cup. How the decisions of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan affect their relations with the PCB remains to be seen. Pakistan has already rejected an offer to play some ODIs there during the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. Pakistan took this step after Sri Lanka offered to host all the Asia Cup matches. The source said that the recent developments may force Pakistan not to send its team to India for the World Cup.
