The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its discontent with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after reports surfaced about SLC’s willingness to host the entire Asia Cup 2023, according to sources cited by the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Reports indicate that SLC has agreed to host the Asia Cup following the influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Jay Shah, who is also the general secretary of BCCI, reportedly held several meetings with top officials from SLC, where he proposed the idea of hosting the Asian event.
It is important to note that India, due to political interference, had declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. As a result, the PCB displayed flexibility by offering a hybrid model to host the tournament. Under this model, the PCB proposed two options.
The first option involved India playing their matches at a neutral venue, while all other matches would take place in Pakistan. The second option suggested that four group stage matches in the first phase would be held in Pakistan, while the second phase, including matches involving the Indian team and the final, would be played at a neutral venue.
Instead of considering the potential options, the BCCI has been exerting its influence on member boards behind closed doors. The weightage given by SLC to the BCCI’s stance has left the PCB dissatisfied. The PTI report states that the PCB rejected SLC’s proposal to convert a two-match Test series to ODIs in July this year.
“It is a clear indication that the PCB is not happy with the Sri Lankan board stepping in to offer to host the Asia Cup in September when it is Pakistan’s turn to host the regional event at home,” a PCB source told PTI.
The strained relations between the two boards have become increasingly apparent. The recent example of this strain came to light when the PCB turned down a proposal by Sri Lanka to play a few One-Day International matches next month.
Also, see:
Asia Cup 2023 can happen without Pakistan: Reports
