If India and Pakistan are in the same group, the third team will also be traveling in ‘Hybrid Model’
In a major blow for Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Monday decided to shift the Asia Cup out of the country after the member countries rejected the PCB’s proposal to host the tournament on a ‘hybrid model.’
In a major blow for Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Monday decided to shift the Asia Cup out of the country after the member countries rejected the PCB’s proposal to host the tournament on a ‘hybrid model.’
Due to the possibility of player injuries in the UAE in September, Sri Lanka has emerged as a front-runner to host the six-nation tournament. It will be interesting to see if Pakistan, after this rejection, plays in the tournament, scheduled to be held from September 2-17.
Due to diplomatic tensions between the two nations, the BCCI refused to send the Indian squad to the neighboring nation, forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to come up with a substitute.
The PCB had suggested that Pakistan host their matches at home while India plays its games in the UAE.
“Najam Sethi (PCB chairman) was in Dubai today to procure support but to his horror, there were no takers for his proposal of Pakistan playing its games in Karachi or Lahore and India playing in UAE. Sri Lanka was always with BCCI and now even Bangladesh Cricket Board seemed opposed to the idea,”
an ACC source told PTI.
“ACC has always maintained that in principle the ‘hybrid model’ is unacceptable and the budgetary sanctions can never be passed.”
“Also, it’s not about Pakistan hosting its matches. It also means that if India and Pakistan are in the same group, the third team will be traveling to and fro between Dubai and a city in Pakistan,”
the source added.
What added fuel to the fire is PCB’s recent decision to host Pakistan Super League’s matches in UAE due to escalated costs of security arrangements.
“Also logistically, the broadcasters wouldn’t want to send separate units in two countries. Sri Lanka, just like UAE doesn’t require inter-city flights whether you play at the Khettarama (Premadasa Stadium), SSC or Galle, or Kandy,”
he added.
However, the ACC Chairman Jay Shah must call a meeting of the Executive Body to make the decision official.
In the prevailing situation, whether Pakistan will take part in the event or decide not to travel to India for the World Cup remains to be seen.
“Even ICC won’t agree to Pakistan playing its matches outside India (during World Cup). So let’s see what PCB decides,”
the source added.