Understand BCCI’s position: PCB chief Najam Sethi grateful after hybrid model accepted for Asia Cup 2023

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi said he is elated that a hybrid model was accepted by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for the Asia Cup 2023 tournament.

The Pakistan cricket body had the hosting rights for the 50-over tournament, which will be played from August 31 to September 17, but there was confusion over the venue of the Asia Cup due after the Indian cricket board (BCCI) raised concerns about traveling to Pakistan.

Najam Sethi had proposed the hybrid model in which Pakistan would play their group-stage matches at home and allow India to play their matches in a different country.

Najam Sethi thanked the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Jay Shah for his efforts in helping chart the Asia Cup schedule and also said he understood BCCI’s position in terms of getting government approval to travel across the border.

Pakistan will host 4 matches of the Asia Cup while Sri Lanka gets as many as 9 matches in the continental tournament, the Asian Cricket Council said on Wednesday.

“I am elated that our hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup 2023 has been accepted. This means the PCB will remain as the event host and stage matches in Pakistan with Sri Lanka as the neutral venue, which was required due to the Indian cricket team’s inability to travel to Pakistan,” Najam Sethi said in a statement from Pakistan Cricket Board.

“Our passionate fans would have loved to see the India cricket team in action in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, but we understand the BCCI’s position. Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders,” he added.

This will be the first time since 2008 that matches of a multi-nation cricket tournament will be staged in Pakistan. Fifteen years ago, Pakistan successfully delivered the six-team ACC Asia Cup 50-over tournament.

APPRECIATE JAY SHAH’S EFFORTS: SETHI
Najam Sethi made a special mention to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the chief of the Asian Cricket Council.

Multiple Asian Cricket Council board meetings were held before the venues were announced for the Asia Cup on Wednesday, June 15.

“I appreciate the efforts of ACC President Jay Shah to strengthen the council so that we can collectively continue to protect each other’s interests and also provide opportunities and platforms to emerging Asian nations,” he added.

Najam Sethi also took pride in seeing his proposal for the hybrid model working out for the Asia Cup 50-over tournament.

“In this background, the hybrid model was the best solution and that’s precisely why I advocated for it so strongly. The acceptance of the hybrid model means the event will take place as originally planned, the ACC will stay together and united, and the great game of cricket will continue to thrive and move forward in what will be interesting and exciting times for the subcontinent cricket fans in the coming 20 months,” he added.

Notably, the Asia Cup in 2022 was held in the UAE after it was moved out of Sri Lanka, who had the hosting rights, due to the economic crisis in the island nation. Sri Lanka went on to win the crown, beating Pakistan in the final of the tournament, which was held in T20 format.

Asia Cup 2023 will be held in the 50-over format to help the Asian teams prepare for the 50-over World Cup later this year in India.