Asia Cup 2023 saga continues with a new plot as PCB comes up with another new proposal to keep the hope of having the tournament in Pakistan.
Over the past few months, there’s been a whole series of debates went on regarding the Asia Cup 2023 venue ever since the Indian cricket team rejected to visit Pakistan due to political chaos between the two countries.
Till now, PCB has been trying to get the outcome and convince the Indian cricket board to come on the same page.
PCB’s chairman Najam Sethi even proposed Hybrid Model where every Asia Cup match will be played in Pakistan except Indian ones.
But BCCI also rejected that model and tried to cancel the event. India from day one wanted a neutral venue for the Asia Cup 2023.
Recently Najam Sethi met with the Asia Cricket Council and Emirates Cricket Board officials to discuss the matter.
PCB New Asia Cup Proposal
As per the reports, Sethi had a meeting with ACC Vice President, Pankaj Khimji, where he presented further details about the hybrid model.
Najam Sethi came up with an alternate solution to save the Asia Cup 2023 and it’s somehow the modification of the hybrid model.
According to the proposed schedule, four matches will take place in Pakistan, whereas the remaining seven matches and the final will be held in UAE.
Meaning, Sri Lanka (the defending champions), Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal will travel to Pakistan except India. They will play their matches in Pakistan and then head to UAE along with the Shaheens for the rest of the matches.
Broadcasters’ Security
During the discussion, Pankaj raised a question on behalf of all the broadcasters “whether it will be possible logistically and whether the broadcasters will feel comfortable carrying crew and equipment between the two countries.”
In response, the PCB chairman replied, “They will only have to travel to Pakistan once, hence there should be no issue of repeatedly going back and forth.”
For the Indian TV Broadcasters, Pakistan will handle the TV broadcasting. Another question arose regarding Dubai’s heat weather.
Sethi replied on point and targeted IPL. He said that “such reservations were not mentioned when the IPL and the Asia Cup took place in similar weather conditions.”
What If Asia Cup Shifted To Neutral Location?
The decision is expected later this month. But if things don’t go in favor of PCB’s proposal and ACC decides to shift the event to a neutral venue then Pakistan may not be part of the tournament as they stated before.
PCB has already started working on a triangular series in case if they don’t participate in Asia Cup. However, PCB’s hopes are high and expect an optimistic response from the ACC.
