Aaj Logo

Published 25 May, 2023 11:23am

ACC accepts Pakistan’s hybrid model for Asia Cup without conditions: report

In a major development, the Asian Cricket Council has reportedly accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s hybrid model to host September’s Asia Cup.

Interestingly, the acceptance was made without any extra condition, claims a report published in The News.

PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi had presented a hybrid model to the ACC, in which Pakistan would host four to six matches of the six-nation tournament at home and India will play at a neutral venue. The same venue would also host the remaining matches including the final.

There was no condition set on Pakistan’s participation in the October World Cup to be held in India, further in the report. The Men in Green’s participation still depends on the Pakistan government’s approval.

“The ACC is expected to officially announce the decision within the next few weeks. According to Sethi’s model, India’s matches will be played on a neutral venue which will be decided by the ACC member countries with mutual coordination. However, even in deciding on a neutral venue, the financial aspect will be kept at the top.”

As for the neutral venue, India and other ACC countries are inclined to play the remainder of the tournament in Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan as a host country want UAE to be the neutral venue.

As a host nation, they have the right to get a proper return of Pakistan-India matches (two or three), and UAE would suit the PCB in this regard.

These matches are estimated to generate revenue in millions and if the ACC assures the amount, according to the report, then PCB will have no hesitation even to agree with Sri Lanka as a neutral venue.

Read Comments