PCB chief Najam Sethi calls for hybrid model for Asia Cup, 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi said on Thursday, May 11 that the cricket board is all in for a compromise situation and called for a hybrid model.

When it comes to the Asia Cup, which has been scheduled to be held in August-September. Najam Sethi said Pakistan never wanted an ‘all or nothing’ approach, adding that it would host India at neutral venues during the continental tournament, which will be held before the 2023 World Cup.

Pakistan have the hosting rights for the Asia Cup but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah had said last year that the Indian cricket team would not travel to Pakistan for the continental tournament, citing a lack of permission from the Indian government.

Najam Sethi, speaking to India Today in an exclusive interview, said the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members, including India and Pakistan, discussed the possibility of a hybrid model when the continental body met earlier this year in Bahrain.

However, reports emerged that the ACC was willing to move the Asia Cup out of Pakistan and host it in a neutral venue, preferably Sri Lanka.

“No, we never said all or nothing. We are saying if India is not able to play in Pakistan, it’s okay. Pakistan will play India in a neutral venue. The remaining teams can play in Pakistan. Because Pakistan has hosted all major countries in the recent past, teams like Australia, England, Bangladesh, New Zealand have come and played in Pakistan. There are no security issues. We can play a couple of matches against India and the rest of the teams’ matches can also be played in a neutral venue. We are ready fror compromise. All or nothing is nothing is not what we want,’ Najam Sethi said.

Najam Sethi said if India are agreeing to play the Asia Cup matches at a neutral venue, the same can be done during the ODI World Cup. The PCB chief added that Pakistan will be willing to play their matches in the World Cup at a neutral venue and not in India.

HYBRID MODEL FOR WORLD CUP 2023?
However, a call on the World Cup fixtures will only be taken by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is expected to announce the fixtures sooner than later. There were reports that the India vs Pakistan marquee match of the 2023 World Cup would be held in Ahmedabad.

“When the World Cup comes, we can also follow such a similar hybrid model. I cannot be sure if our government will give permission to play the World Cup in India because Indian government, it is being said, has not given permission to the BCCI to send the team to play in Pakistan.

“We can play all the matches in a neutral venue. The World Cup can be held without any problem, the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy can also be held.

“If India are ready to play in Pakistan, there is no problem at all, then we will also go to India to play the World Cup. If that’s not possible, then the hybrid model can be used as a compromise,” he added.

Sri Lanka has emerged as the frontrunner to host the Asia Cup if the ACC decides to move the tournament out of Pakistan. However, Pakistan are keen on keeping the tournament at home as they would want put on a show before the 2025 Champions Trophy, for which the ICC awarded the hosting rights to Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since 2012-13 due to the strain in bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries. The two teams have met only in ICC events and ACC events in the past.

India and Pakistan men’s teams last played each other at the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

However, Pakistan has travelled to India for ICC events, including the 2016 T20 World Cup.