The Asia Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in September, may be cancelled this year if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains firm on its position regarding the hybrid model. This model proposed by PCB was presented in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, under which other teams would play their matches in Pakistan, while the Indian team would play their matches in another country. However, India has refused to send its team to Pakistan for the event due to political tensions between the two countries.
The ACC President, Jay Shah, had initially shown interest in the hybrid model, but upon returning to India, he opposed it. Now, if PCB maintains its position on the hybrid model, the Asia Cup may not take place this year, and the possibility of holding the entire event in another country has been rejected by PCB. Cricket boards of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have unsuccessfully attempted to convince Pakistan to hold the Asia Cup at a neutral venue.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is already prepared for the cancellation of the Asia Cup and has started planning for a five-nation tournament. Meanwhile, PCB is concerned about the public reaction over the complete transfer of the event to the UAE, and if the Asia Cup does not take place this year, it may also affect Pakistan’s preparations for the 2023 World Cup in India.
A big decision regarding the Asia Cup is expected in a few days, and the PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi, who was supposed to go to the UAE for some important meetings, has cancelled the trip due to personal reasons.