ACC board member expresses no discussion or proposal to postpone the Asia Cup has been floated
Contradicting media reports that Asia Cup could be postponed and a parallel tournament, excluding Pakistan, could be held in Dubai during the same time, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) sources on Monday said that no such proposal had been made to the member countries.
Contradicting media reports that Asia Cup could be postponed and a parallel tournament, excluding Pakistan, could be held in Dubai during the same time, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) sources on Monday said that no such proposal had been made to the member countries.
A report in Pakistan media claimed that the Asia Cup could be relocated if PCB refuses to agree to play matches at a neutral venue.
The Pakistan Cricket Board holds the hosting rights for the ODI-format Asia Cup in 2023, but BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the ACC chairman, has made it clear that the Indian cricket team will not visit Pakistan.
The PCB has suggested hosting the Asia Cup using a ‘hybrid model’, in which Pakistan plays its matches on home soil, while India plays at a neutral venue — in all likelihood Dubai.
It is understood that the BCCI wants the entire tournament moved to the UAE which has three grounds in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi as with the 2018 and 2022 editions when India and Sri Lanka hosted.
“There has been exchange of messages but no discussion or proposal to postpone the Asia Cup has been floated,”
an ACC Board member, privy to discussions on the sidelines of an ICC meet in Dubai, told PTI on the conditions of anonymity.
“Secondly, if the Asia Cup is cancelled, PCB will be intimated first. Nothing of that sort has happened till now. The ACC chairman (Shah) hasn’t yet put anything on record.
“To postpone or cancel the event, the ACC will have to call an Executive Board meeting. The chairman (Shah) can call the meeting in seven days (virtual or physical). To date, there is no intimation about any such meeting,”
the source added.
According to the ACC source, the Indian squad was invited and promised the highest level of security and the best hospitality in the last official mail exchange between the PCB, ACC, and BCCI.
“But, it is difficult for India to travel to Pakistan in the current sensitive political environment,”
he agreed.
The other issue is the amount of money the official broadcaster has committed to telecast deals, which includes at least two assured India-Pakistan games. If the two teams make the final, the third game would be a bonanza.
“We must remember the media rights and the agreement with Star Sports, who have paid millions for, at least, two Pakistan vs India matches in the Asia Cup,”
he said.
It is learnt that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) supported the BCCI during the informal discussion amongst ACC members regarding holding the tournament at a neutral venue.
“Look, if Asia Cup is cancelled after the ACC chairman summons an Executive Board meeting, the ramifications will not just be Pakistan’s World Cup participation but also PCB’s FTP calendar and bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan or Bangladesh.
“The situation is still very fluid,”
the source said.