Pakistan Cricket Board Reverses Decision on Asia Cup 2023 Hybrid Model
Days after the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) accepted Pakistan’s proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023 tournament, the incoming chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zaka Ashraf, has made a u-turn and rejected the model. This has caused uncertainty over the tournament, which was slated to begin on August 31 in Pakistan and end on September 17 in Sri Lanka.
Ashraf’s Disagreement with Hybrid Model
Ashraf expressed his disagreement with the hybrid model during a press conference in the Pakistan capital on Wednesday. He stated, “I had rejected the hybrid model in the past itself because I do not agree with it. The board of the Asian Cricket Council had decided that it should be held in Pakistan, then we should host it.”
Consequences of Reversal
The consequences of PCB’s reversal could be disastrous for Pakistani cricket. If Ashraf remains firm in his decision, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to pressure the ACC to move the entire tournament out of Pakistan. In that case, PCB will have no choice but to comply.
Conclusion
The decision of the incoming chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board to reverse the acceptance of the hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023 tournament has caused uncertainty over the event. It could potentially have a detrimental effect on the future of Pakistani cricket, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India could pressure the ACC to move the tournament out of Pakistan.