There have been a lot of rumors regarding the Asia Cup 2023 and, subsequently, the 2023 World Cup. Today, the Pakistan Cricket Board provided a clarification regarding the stance of its Chairman Management Committee, Najam Sethi, who suggested that the Asia Cup be held at a “neutral” venue instead of in Pakistan, the host country.
On Thursday, during a media briefing in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Mr. Najam Sethi discussed the hybrid model he proposed to the ACC officials for resolving the impasse created by the BCCI’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the ACC Asia Cup 2023.
He said that the proposal for India to play its matches at a neutral while the rest of the matches to continue in Pakistan is currently under discussion with ACC.
The spokesperson for Pakistan Cricket Board said, “At no stage during Thursday’s media interaction, did I give any reference to the ICC or made any remarks on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is scheduled in October. This matter has not been mooted or discussed at any ICC forum so far.”
“In this background, the PCB is disappointed that a leading English language newspaper has misquoted, misinterpreted, and misrepresented Mr Sethi’s comments and gave the impression that PCB’s hybrid model was presented and discussed at the ICC, which is factually incorrect. At this stage, the PCB is only in discussions with the ACC over the hosting of the ACC Asia Cup and no discussions regarding the World Cup have taken place with the ICC.”
“This is not to say that the hybrid model will not be advocated at the proper ICC forum at the right time.”
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Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized that the Pakistan Cricket Board remains committed to hosting the Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan, as it is the designated host country. The PCB has also taken several steps in recent years to improve the security situation in the country and attract international cricket teams to play in Pakistan.
These efforts have been successful, with several teams, including Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, England, Australia, and the West Indies, visiting Pakistan in recent years to play cricket. The board remains optimistic that the Asia Cup 2023 will take place in Pakistan, as planned.
