Najam Sethi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is said to have contacted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to request that they use their power to persuade the BCCI to implement the hybrid model for the 2023 Asia Cup.
After the BCCI expressed their reluctance to cross the border or accept the hybrid model, Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 Asia Cup and ODI World Cup is in doubt.
The proposed hybrid model has drawn criticism from other members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), with Sri Lanka emerging as a potential candidate to host the event.
A BCCI official claims that India will continue to disregard the hybrid model and is certain that Pakistan will take part in the prestigious white-ball competitions later this year.
The representative stated to Inside Sport: “Those are just quick responses. Any money that comes through is important to PCB because they are well aware of their financial situation. Pakistan cannot boycott, in my opinion. Both the Asia Cup and the World Cup will feature them. They are doing everything they can to keep it right now, but it won’t work. “
In the first of the two phases of the hybrid model, Pakistan will host games involving other teams besides India. Without regard to whether Pakistan and India are present or not, the final will take place at the neutral site where India’s matches are played during the second phase.
Concerned about the conflict between BCCI and PCB is ICC. PCB Chairman Najam Sethi discussed the ongoing Asia Cup hosting crisis with ICC President Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice. Given that India and Pakistan will be hosting the following set of 50-over ICC events, the problem also affects the ICC.
Given that India won’t cross the border for the 2023 Asia Cup, it is extremely unlikely that they will reverse course for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be Pakistan’s first major ICC hosting effort since the 1996 World Cup.
The representative additionally stated: “We won’t know until next week because the ACC will meet in Dubai following the WTC. The Asia Cup schedule will be available once some issues have been resolved. “
In the group stage of the 2023 Asia Cup, Nepal was placed alongside India and Pakistan. The competition is expected to happen in September, just before India’s ODI World Cup.
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