BCCI refuses to accept the hybrid model proposed by PCB for the upcoming Asia Cup even though the meeting between office-bearers of the three members of the continental body couldn’t come to a conclusion in this regard.
BCCI Rejects Pakistan’s Hybrid Model For Asia Cup
BCCI secretary Jay Shah had said that a final decision on the hosting of the 2023 Asia Cup will be taken on the sidelines of the IPL final, which was expected to be attended by a host of top Asian Cricket Council (ACC) dignitaries.
Representatives from the Afghanistan and Sri Lankan boards attended the meeting but Bangladesh Cricket Board chairman Nazmul Hassan couldn’t due to some personal commitments. No conclusion was arrived at during the discussions.
According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), BCCI is bent on participating in the event in a completely neutral venue. Speculations are that Asian Cricket Council (ACC) executive body will take the final call to reject the PCB’s hybrid model sooner.
“Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have already told the PCB that they have no issues playing their games in Pakistan. But India is not keen on supporting the hybrid model. Now, the impasse hasn’t been broken, and the final decision will only be taken at the ACC executive board meeting that Jay (Shah) will have to summon,” ACC board member said.
There has to be a middle of the road solution as you can’t put this hybrid model to vote. I mean if there are six nations playing the event, what is the locus stand of the 19 other nations who won’t play the tournament? On what basis will they vote when they have no stake?” ACC source added.
The neutral venues that have been proposed so far are Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates (UAE); however, several ACC board members are being sceptical about the latter due to extreme hot weather conditions.
CHECK: Asia Cup 2023 Venues: Set to be Played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka
