PCB reveals the proposal to play India’s matches at a neutral venue and the rest in Pakistan – is under discussions
In a statement on Friday, the PCB confirmed that the ‘hybrid model’ is currently being discussed; no plans have been made to replicate the same model in the World Cup which will be held in India later this year.
The Asia Cup, which will be held this year in Pakistan, is being discussed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
A ‘hybrid model’ has been discussed in the media since the BCCI indicated that it was reluctant to send the Indian squad to Pakistan for the continental tournament. In a statement on Friday, the PCB confirmed that the ‘hybrid model’ is currently being discussed; no plans have been made to replicate the same model in the World Cup which will be held in India later this year.
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan was considering “not playing their World Cup matches in India” as the BCCI isn’t sending a team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, according to ICC General Manager Wasim Khan. However, the Pakistani board has falsified the claims.
In a statement, the PCB wrote:
“This proposal – to play India’s matches at a neutral venue and the rest in Pakistan – is under discussions within the ACC.
“At no stage during Thursday’s media interaction, did I give any reference to the ICC or made any remarks on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is scheduled in October. This matter has not been mooted or discussed at any ICC forum so far.
“In this background, the PCB is disappointed that a leading English language newspaper has misquoted, misinterpreted, and misrepresented Mr. Sethi’s comments and gave the impression that PCB’s hybrid model was presented and discussed at the ICC, which is factually incorrect. At this stage, the PCB is only in discussions with the ACC over the hosting of the ACC Asia Cup and no discussions regarding the World Cup have taken place with the ICC.
“This is not to say that the hybrid model will not be advocated at the proper ICC forum at the right time.”
The PCB did acknowledge towards the end of the statement that while the ODI World Cup in India has not yet been discussed using a ‘hybrid model,’ it might be brought to the table at a later time.