Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) likely new chairman Zaka Ashraf has put a new twist in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 saga, by rejecting his predecessor Najam Sethi's much-publicized "hybrid model" for the tournament.
As per Sethi’s proposal, which was accepted recently by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Pakistan was to host four matches of the tournament, and the rest of the matches involving India and the final is to be played in Sri Lanka.
"The first point is that I had rejected the hybrid model (for Asia Cup) in the past itself - because I do not agree with it. The board of the Asian Cricket Council had decided that it should be held in Pakistan, then we should host it," Ashraf said during a press conference in Islamabad.
Asia Cup 2023 has been a huge issue ever since BCCI announced last year that India will not tour Pakistan, the hosts of the tournament due to the government not giving permission. Since then, the PCB has taken the stance of using a hybrid model for a few matches in Pakistan and the rest in UAE.
But the other boards including the BCCI, refused to play in UAE citing heat in September and wanted to take the tournament to Sri Lanka as a whole and PCB then threatened to pull out of the Asia Cup and also not send Pakistan team to the 2023 World Cup to India in retaliation.
However, negotiations continued with the help of the ICC and finally, ACC approved the reworked hybrid model of Pakistan and Sri Lanka being the venues.
But now, Ashraf's remarks might also jeopardize Pakistan's World Cup participation, and it's anticipated that the BCCI would take a harsh line as well. If they go against what the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members had decided, there won't be any room for compromise.
During his media interaction, Ashraf said that he doesn't like the idea of inconsequential games being held in their country when they have got hosting rights.
"All the main matches are happening outside (of Pakistan). (Teams like) Nepal and Bhutan are going to play in Pakistan - which is not fair for Pakistan. I do not know what the board has decided previously, I do not have access to the information.
I will check, whatever is doable in the shortest possible time, will do that for the betterment of Pakistan," he said.
If Ashraf doesn't change his stand, the Asia Cup could be held without Pakistan as a five-nation tournament.
"The Asia Cup model has been accepted by ACC and there would be no change. Ashraf is free to say whatever he wants," an ACC board member told PTI.
PCB’s likely to be new chairman Zaka Ashraf rejects Najam Sethi’s hybrid model for Asia Cup- Report
One of the two candidates chosen by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who serves as the board's patron-in-chief and has the last word in appointment, is Ashraf for the position of PCB chairman. Ashraf's appointment is currently only a formality.
Ashraf also said that the World Cup issue is yet to be sorted which could mean that the release of the schedule will be delayed further.
"There are challenges lined up ahead for Pakistan, there are many pending issues, the Asia Cup is there, then the World Cup, the team's preparations, a lot of issues. I do not want to speak against anyone because I have not (yet) taken over," Ashraf said while not wanting to say anything about Sethi.
"Once I take over, will see what the scenario is. I always take media along, I do not hide anything. We have to work for the betterment of Pakistan, we have a clear conscience,” he added.
(PTI inputs)
