CricketACC’s response to potential PCB chairman Ashraf after he rejected the Asian Cup hybrid model
In a press conference on Wednesday, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman-elect Zaka Ashraf expressed his view on the hybrid model of the Asia Cup 2023, which is going to be held in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This model was recently approved by the Asian Cricket Council, but Ashraf, who is the front-runner to become the next president of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has openly rejected it.
ACC confirmed the hybrid model
Pakistan is going to host a multi-national cricket tournament on home soil, the last time any international tournament was held there was in 2008. The ACC has already confirmed that Pakistan and Sri Lanka will co-host the Asia Cup in 2023. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan, but the BCCI made it clear that Team India would not travel to the neighboring country due to political issues between India and Pakistan. Later, a hybrid model was proposed and it was accepted by Asian Cricket Council President and BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Now India would play only Pakistan at a neutral venue.
Ashraf rejected the model
Ashraf stated that he has rejected the hybrid model for the Asia Cup in the past as well because he doesn’t agree with it. He believes “If the Asian Cricket Council decides that it should be held in Pakistan, then they should be its sole host”. If Ashraf is appointed PCB Chairman, then there will definitely be a conflict between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the BCCI. His statement can also affect Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 World Cup, which is going to be held in India later.
ACC member’s response to Ashraf
A member of the ACC board has also responded to Ashraf’s rejection of the hybrid model for the Asia Cup and said, “The hybrid model of the Asia Cup has been clearly accepted by the ACC, and there will be no change in it. Ashraf is free to say whatever he wants. According to a report, The BCCI and ICC have also turned down PCB’s request for venue changes for some of their matches in the ICC World Cup. PCB requested two venue changes for Pakistan’s match, and one of them was the Narendra Modi Stadium in Hyderabad. The reason they stated was that the pitch conditions would be difficult for the team.When India last played a bilateral series against Pakistan at their home in 2012, Ashraf was the PCB Chairman, and now he is one of the two nominated names picked by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the PCB’s chairman post.
