ICC Seeking Assurance From PCB Over ODI World Cup Participation In India Amid Asia Cup Drama: Report

The move by the ICC top brass comes after PCB chief Najam Sethi had said that Pakistan will not travel to India for the ODI World Cup, if India does not go to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

Crowds outside the ground before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia

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International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice are reportedly seeking assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it will not advocate for a hybrid model in the ODI World Cup matches in India later this year. The same has been confirmed in a report which cites sources close to the development. The move by the ICC top brass comes after PCB chief Najam Sethi had said that Pakistan will not travel to India for the ODI World Cup, if India does not go to Pakistan for the Asia Cup which is scheduled ahead of the ICC event.

"The ICC and World Cup hosts, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are concerned with the hybrid model being pushed by Najam Sethi who heads the cricket management committee of the PCB.

“Although the hybrid model has been suggested by Sethi for the Asia Cup which precedes the ICC event, the concern remains that once accepted for the regional event the PCB might also then ask the ICC to implement it for the World Cup when it comes to Pakistan playing in India,” insider source was quoted as saying in a PTI.

Sethi had clearly said that if Pakistan does not get approval from the government or has security concerns then they would ask ICC to organise Pakistan's matches at a neutral venue. However, the source as per the same report was categorical in saying that neither the ICC nor the BCCI want such a situation.

"Naturally neither the ICC nor the BCCI want such a situation since Pakistan’s unequivocal participation in matches in India would guarantee the success of Indo-Pakistan matches and also the tournament itself," he said.

Another source in the same report said  that the primary reason why BCCI Secretary Jay Shah was not entirely willing to accept the hybrid model for the Asia Cup and have some matches in Pakistan and the remaining ones in UAE or Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, PCB, who are the hosts of the Asia Cup have maintained that if the tournament is moved to a neutral country, it will not compete at all, a stance which has been repeated by Sethi time and again.

He had also said that if Pakistan do not host any Asia Cup matches, it might negatively affect the World Cup as well.

"The ICC officials are trying to work as a bridge between the PCB and BCCI and resolve the outstanding issues pertaining to the Asia Cup and World Cup."

(With Inputs From PTI)