Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan Cricket Board Finalizes Two Venues For Hybrid Asia Cup Model

According to Geo News, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized two venues for the hybrid model of the Asia Cup 2023. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host four matches in the first phase, while the Dubai International Stadium will serve as the venue for the rest of the tournament. The PCB is confident that more tickets can be sold in Dubai compared to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined to send its team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and insists on hosting the event at a neutral venue. The PCB, on the other hand, is not willing to move the event outside of Pakistan as it would hinder their efforts in bringing international cricket back to the country.

To resolve the deadlock, the PCB has proposed a hybrid model with two options. The first option involves India playing their matches at a neutral venue, while all other matches will be held in Pakistan.

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In the second option, four group stage matches will be played in Pakistan during the first phase, while the second phase, including matches involving the Indian team and the final, will take place at a neutral venue.

In Case Of India’s Refusal To Travel To Pakistan For Asia Cup, The Govt Will Not Allow Pakistan To Travel To India: Najam Sethi

Najam Sethi, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, has called for a rational approach to overcome the crisis and ensure the successful hosting of the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup later this year.

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“In case of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to compete in the Asia Cup, chances are there that the Pakistan government would not allow the Men in Green to cross the borders for their World Cup participation. In that case, cricket will be the ultimate sufferer. There should be a middle way to solve problems that surely threaten the smooth hosting of ICC and ACC events.”

He expressed concerns about the Pakistani team’s chances of traveling to India for the World Cup, stating that if India refuses to come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the Pakistani government may not allow their team to cross the border for the World Cup matches. Sethi emphasized the need for a middle ground to resolve these issues and avoid any disruptions to the hosting of ICC and ACC events.

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The ongoing discussion between the PCB and the BCCI regarding the Asia Cup and World Cup participation highlights the challenges and complexities involved in organizing cricket tournaments in the current geopolitical climate. The decisions made will have a significant impact on the future of cricket in the region and the relationships between cricket boards.

Both sides will need to find a mutually acceptable solution that ensures the smooth conduct of these prestigious tournaments while considering the concerns and interests of all stakeholders involved. The cricketing fraternity awaits further developments to see how the situation unfolds and whether a resolution can be reached.