We Will Not Accept Any Other Schedule Other Than Asia Cup In Hybrid Model: Najam Sethi

PCB chief Najam Sethi has made it clear that the Board will not accept any other schedule other than Asia Cup being played in the Hybrid model.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam with Rohit Sharma during the T20 World Cup.

Source : Getty

As per several reports, Asia Cup 2023 is likely to move out of Pakistan and might take place in Sri Lanka. Earlier, it was Pakistan, who was scheduled to host the tournament but then India brought in challenges when they announced their decision of not traveling to the neighbouring nation.

Previously, there were a few proposals that stated to conduct the tournament in a hybrid model. As per the model,  Pakistan can play their games at home with India playing their matches in a neutral venue like the United Arab Emirates. PCB chief Najam Sethi was the one who suggested a hybrid model to organize the Asia Cup.

"We have made it very clear that unless the Asia Cup is held on a hybrid model like we have proposed, that is India playing its matches at an offshore venue and Pakistan hosting the remaining games at home, we will not accept any other schedule and neither play," Sethi had said.

In a recent development, it has been reported that Sri Lanka is the front-runner to host the tournament.  If at all Sri Lanka wins this race to conduct the Asia Cup, they will have an advantage in home conditions. It has also been noticed in recent times that teams have found it difficult to win series in Island nation, considering their slow and spin-friendly wickets.

“ACC has always maintained that in principle the 'hybrid model' is unacceptable and the budgetary sanctions can never be passed. Also, it's not about Pakistan hosting its own matches. It also means that if India and Pakistan are in same group, the third team will be travelling to and fro between Dubai and a city in Pakistan,” a source in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) stated, as per quoted by PTI.

“Also logistically, the broadcasters wouldn't want to send separate units in two countries. Sri Lanka, just like UAE, doesn't require inter-city flights, whether you play at the Khettarama (Premadasa Stadium), SSC or Galle or Kandy,” the source further added.