Table of Contents
- PCB suggests a two-phase Asia Cup plan with matches in Pakistan and the UAE.
- Uncertainty surrounds India’s participation in the tournament.
- Tensions rise as Pakistan considers withdrawing from the World Cup in India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put forward a fresh proposal for the Asia Cup, introducing a two-phase plan, according to sources close to the matter.
Under the proposed plan, the tournament would be divided into two phases. In the initial phase, all participating teams, excluding India, would compete in one match each hosted by Pakistan. Subsequently, in the second phase, all teams, including India, would conclude their remaining matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The final match of the tournament would also be held in the UAE, as per the newly suggested model.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members are set to present the revamped proposal to President Jay Shah, who will play a crucial role in making the final decision regarding the tournament’s format and venue.
Meanwhile, Najam Sethi, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, has traveled to England after holding discussions with ACC members in Dubai regarding the new proposal.
It should be noted that last October, Pakistani cricket authorities hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the upcoming World Cup in India, immediately after Indian officials announced their decision not to send a team to the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan.
Indian cricket board secretary, Jay Shah, stated that India “can’t” send a team to Pakistan, suggesting a neutral venue for the tournament. This declaration caught Pakistan by surprise, with officials expressing concerns about potential divisions within the international cricket community.
Also, read: Cricket Boards Clash Over Asia Cup 2023 Hosting Solution
The PCB responded, highlighting that Shah’s comments could have an impact on Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, as well as future ICC events in India from 2024 to 2031.
Furthermore, the PCB clarified that they had not received any official communication from the ACC and emphasized that hosting rights for the 2023 Asia Cup had been granted to Pakistan under Shah’s leadership.
Notably, the rivalry between India and Pakistan, considered one of the greatest in sports, has not seen the two teams compete on each other’s home soil in any format of the game since 2012. Their encounters primarily take place in multinational tournaments held on neutral grounds.
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Najam Sethi finally breaks his silence on Asia Cup 2023 matter
