According to Jang News, certain sections of the Pakistani media have claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to adopt a hybrid model for staging matches in the upcoming Asia Cup. However, BCCI officials have vehemently denied these reports.
The BCCI has been persistently advocating for the complete relocation of the Asia Cup from Pakistan to a neutral venue. As per sources, an unofficial meeting of Asia Cup officials is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the IPL 2023 final, set to be held in Ahmedabad this Sunday.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is also the President of the Asian Cricket Council, stated, “During the IPL 2023 final on May 28 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, we anticipate the presence of the respective presidents of the Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka Cricket Boards. We intend to engage in discussions with them regarding the future course of action for the Asia Cup 2023.”
The reported hybrid model proposed by Najam Sethi, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), entails hosting the first four non-India matches of the league stage, including Pakistan’s home game against Nepal, in Lahore before shifting the tournament to a neutral venue. However, BCCI officials have refuted these claims. It is understood that the BCCI favors holding the entire tournament in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Pakistan is advocating for the UAE, despite the hot weather, to be the neutral venue in order to maximize gate receipts.
Moreover, the PCB has linked the Asia Cup dispute with their participation in the ODI World Cup scheduled for October-November in India. The schedule for the prestigious event is yet to be released, with only four months remaining until its commencement.
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