In a major blow to Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Monday decided to move the Asia Cup out of the country after PCB’s proposal to host the tournament on a ‘hybrid model’ was rejected by the member nations. Sri Lanka have been the frontrunners to host the Six Nations tournament after extremely humid conditions in the United Arab Emirates in the month of September resulted in injuries to players. It will be interesting to see whether Pakistan participates in the tournament to be held from September 2 to 17 after this omission.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to propose an alternative after the BCCI refused to send the Indian team to the neighboring country due to diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
The PCB had proposed that India play its games in the UAE while Pakistan host its matches on home soil.
“Najam Sethi (PCB chairman) was in Dubai today to drum up support but there were no takers for his offer of Pakistan playing their games in Karachi or Lahore and India playing in the UAE. Sri Lanka has always been the BCCI’s favorite. And now even the Bangladesh cricket board seems to be against the idea,” an ACC source told PTI.
“The ACC has always stated that the ‘hybrid model’ is unacceptable in principle and that budgetary restrictions could never be passed.” “Also it is not about Pakistan hosting its matches. It also means that if India and Pakistan are in the same group, the third team will travel between Dubai and a city in Pakistan,” the source said. “
Adding fuel to the fire is the PCB’s recent decision to host Pakistan Super League matches in the UAE due to rising security costs.
“Also logically, broadcasters would not want to send separate units to the two countries. Like Sri Lanka, UAE does not require inter-city flights, whether you play at Khetaram (Premadasa Stadium), SSC or Galle or Kandy. ” He added.
However, ACC president Jay Shah will have to call an executive body meeting to make the decision official.
In the current situation, whether Pakistan participates in the event or decides against coming to India for the World Cup, remains to be seen.
“Even the ICC will not agree to Pakistan playing their matches outside India (during the World Cup). So let’s see what the PCB decides,” the source said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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