In a positive development, Pakistan has won over two crucial Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members — Bangladesh and Sri Lanka — who have stated willingness to endorse the board’s “hybrid model” for the Asia Cup 2023 in order to accommodate Indian concerns.
Bilateral cricket has suffered as a result of India and Pakistan’s deteriorating political relations over the last decade, and the two nations currently only play each other in multi-team events at neutral locations.
India has ruled out visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup in September, citing safety concerns, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered to let them play their matches in the United Arab Emirates.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to respond formally to the offer, PCB officials believe India wants the entire event moved out of Pakistan.
The PCB has been working hard to persuade all ACC members to accept its proposal.
According to sources, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have approved the hybrid model, and ACC President Jay Shah is ready to evaluate it in an official meeting in Dubai in two days.
According to sources, Shah, who is also the BCCI secretary, has convened an official meeting with ACC board members to examine PCB’s hybrid strategy for hosting Asia Cup.
After this unofficial discussion, an official council meeting is expected to be convened by the end of this month to decide the future of the Asian event.
Pakistan has provided two hybrid model alternatives.
In the first option, India’s matches will be played at a neutral location, while all other matches will be played in Pakistan.
Another alternative is for the first four group stage matches to be played in Pakistan, while the second phase, which includes matches for the Indian team followed by the following stage matches, including the final, is to be played at a neutral venue.
According to sources, the cricket boards of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have decided on the second alternative.
Pakistan will play their group match against Nepal at home if it is accepted. Group 2 opponents Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will also play their group-stage matches in Pakistan.
Overall, Pakistan will host four matches before the league transfers to a neutral venue to be agreed upon by all parties.
The PCB prefers the UAE to be the neutral venue because it ensures that gate money goes into their account. However, Dambulla and Pallekele in Sri Lanka might also be considered neutral venues.
