Mumbai, 30 March 2023 (GNP): India has declined to participate in the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup, which was scheduled to be held in Pakistan. This decision has led to concerns about the tournament being boycotted by Pakistan, and several proposals have been put forward to address this issue.
One proposed solution is a “hybrid model,” which would see other teams play their Asia Cup matches in Pakistan while India would play their matches in another country.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed reports suggesting that Pakistan might play its 2023 World Cup matches in Bangladesh.
According to a source from the BCCI, these reports are simply “pressure tactics” from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
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The source suggests that the entire Asia Cup may be moved to UAE or Qatar, thereby eliminating the need for a hybrid model or for Pakistan to play its matches in a neutral location.
The BCCI source also points out that if the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) determines that it is not financially viable to hold the Asia Cup in two countries, Pakistan may not be able to play its games at home.
The ACC is responsible for passing the budget for the tournament, and if it decides that a two-country format is not commercially viable, Pakistan may have to play its matches in another location, BCCI said.