ACC rejects hybrid model, prepares for Asia Cup without Pakistan; Pak 2023 WC participation also in doubt- Report

Pakistan wanted to host 4-5 games of Asia Cup in Pakistan and rest, including India's in UAE.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has reportedly made it clear that India, along with other members have rejected the hybrid model suggested by PCB chief Najam Sethi to host the Asia Cup 2023.

The PCB's proposal for a "hybrid model," in which 4 or 5 of the matches would be played in Pakistan and the remaining matches, including all of the India matches, would be played in Dubai, was rejected. India has stated that their reluctance is due to the UAE's extreme heat in September.

Shah stated that there should only be one location for the tournament to be conducted, and that location is Sri Lanka, during recent informal discussions with the heads of member nations in Ahmedabad.

As per a report in the Telegraph, Pakistan will be categorically told at the next executive board meeting of the ACC that all other participating nations have agreed to play in Sri Lanka. PCB, which is to host the Asia Cup this year in September, failed to find any takers for their model.

ICC seeking assurance from PCB on Pakistan’s World Cup participation in India amid Asia Cup conflict: Report

Now, in case Pakistan decides to pull out of the Asia Cup, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will be the four teams to play the tournament. A decision on adding a fifth team will be taken later.

However, this refusal by the BCCI to tour Pakistan and also reject the hybrid model, may have severe repercussions as India is to host the ODI World Cup 2023 in October-November and Pakistan may refuse to tour India in retaliation.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice are currently in Lahore seeking assurance from Pakistan to participate in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, they have been reportedly told by the PCB management that their participation in the World Cup in India is subject to government clearance.  

“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 do so,” Sethi told The Telegraph earlier this month.

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On the other hand, one of the reasons which the PCB proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup was rejected was the notion that if this tournament is played on this model, then Pakistan could demand the same to be done in the World Cup as well.

PCB chief had already stated that if India doesn’t tour Pakistan and wants to play its games at a neutral venue, then Pakistan might do the same during the World Cup and ask ICC to host its games in Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.

But BCCI will not agree if Pakistan wishes to play their Cup matches at a neutral venue. “Play in India or nothing,” has been the message that has been sent out to the PCB and ICC. The fixtures for the World Cup are expected to be released during the World Test Championship final in London next week.

The PCB will issue a media release on the ICC’s visit on Thursday.

(Telegraph report)