The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking for its next Chairman and amidst the selection process, the PCB has a lot of challenges lined up for them. Zaka Ashraf who leads the race for PCB’s next Chairman has rejected the hybrid model approved by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for the Asia Cup 2023.
Ashraf in a press conference on Wednesday dropped a shocking statement where he said that Pakistan should host the multi-nation tournament. Ashraf said, “The first point is that I had rejected the hybrid model (for Asia Cup) in the past itself – because I do not agree with it. The board of the Asian Cricket Council had decided that it should be held in Pakistan, then we should host it.”
While speaking to PTI an ACC Board Member said that the model has been accepted by the ACC so there won’t be any changes. The Board Member said, “The Asia Cup model has been accepted by ACC and there would be no change. Ashraf is free to say whatever he wants.”
World Cup challenges
PCB had requested ICC and BCCI for a change of venues for their World Cup matches. PCB wanted a swap of venues for their games against Afghanistan and Australia. Pakistan is scheduled to play Afghanistan in Chennai and Australia in Bengaluru. According to a report the ICC and BCCI have rejected Pakistan’s request for a change of venues. Ashraf was the PCB President the last time Pakistan played a bilateral series in India. The PCB wanted a change of venues as they believed that they were hard done by the World Cup schedule where they are playing at venues which are their opponent’s strength.
International Cricket in Pakistan
International cricket has returned to Pakistan once again as Australia and England toured the country. Hosting the Asia Cup would have helped their cause in getting high-profile international cricket in the country. Notably, India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup. The last bilateral series played between the two nations in Pakistan was in 2006.
Future of Pakistan?
If Ashraf (highly likely) is selected for the position of PCB Chairman then the two giant cricketing boards are likely to collide with each other. Ashraf is not keen on the idea of a hybrid model for the Asia Cup but in such a short time it is almost impossible that he will be able to do anything. Even in the hybrid model the original hosts of the tournament, Pakistan is hosting fewer matches than Sri Lanka. High-profile matches are also scheduled in Sri Lanka. The lucrative clash between arch-rivals and Asian giants India and Pakistan will also be held in Sri Lanka.
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