BCCI 'accepts' Pakistan's hybrid model for Asia Cup
Cricket
Pakistan will host first four matches of tournament before its shifting to Sri Lanka
LAHORE (Web Desk) - The stance taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board seemed paid off as the Board of Cricket Control in India was likely to accept the ‘hybrid model’ proposed by the PCB to host the Asia Cup, insiders said quoting Indian media.
Under the ‘hybrid model’, Pakistan will host the first four matches of the tournament before its shifting to a neutral venue where India will join the event. Earlier, the BCCI had refused to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament, which is scheduled for September.
India media said that the Asian Cricket Council was likely to approve Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023, with Sri Lanka as the neutral venue.The BCCI had demanded shifting of the entire tournament out of Pakistan and had also tried to woo other members of the Asian Cricket Council into forcing PCB’s hand.
"Oman Cricket board chief Pankaj Khimji, one of the respected ACC executive board members, was entrusted to find a solution as most countries didn't want a hybrid model,” an ACC board member told the Press Trust of India on conditions of anonymity.
"But as of now four non-India games — Pakistan vs Nepal, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh — will be held at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.
"The two India vs Pakistan games and all other Super Four Games will be held in either Pallekele or Galle.” The report added that the ACC could make a formal announcement in this regard on Tuesday.
The PCB had taken the stance that it could boycott the tournament if it was shifted and also hinted at pulling out of the World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India later this year.
The insiders said that acceptance of the model was not linked to the PCB assuring the presence of the team at the World Cup in India. “But it does pave the way for Pakistan to play their World Cup matches at a neutral venue or even in India.”
BCCI’s acceptance comes after a delegation of the International Cricket Council visited Pakistan recently to exchange views with the PCB over its participation at the World Cup.
“That visit played a positive role,” insiders added, “as the ICC convinced India to accept the hybrid model as it can also be applied for the World Cup.”
