In a recent development, Zaka Ashraf, who is poised to become the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has vehemently rejected the proposed “hybrid model” put forward by his predecessor, Najam Sethi, for the upcoming Asia Cup. The tournament, scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in September, now finds itself at the center of a potential clash between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The hybrid model, proposed by Sethi, aimed to accommodate the logistical challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It suggested hosting the tournament in a split format, with the group stage matches being held in Pakistan and the knockout stages in Sri Lanka. However, Ashraf has dismissed this approach, expressing his strong opposition to the idea.
Ashraf’s firm stance on rejecting the hybrid model has set the stage for a potential confrontation with the BCCI, which has raised concerns over the security situation in Pakistan. The BCCI has previously indicated its reluctance to allow the Indian team to participate in tournaments held in Pakistan due to security reasons. With Ashraf’s rejection of the proposed model, the issue has escalated further and raises doubts about the participation of the Indian team in the Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup, a highly anticipated event in the cricketing calendar, serves as a platform for teams from the Asian region to showcase their talent and compete for regional supremacy. The clash between Ashraf and the BCCI adds an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging task of organizing the tournament amidst the ongoing pandemic.
As cricket fans eagerly await further developments, it remains to be seen how the PCB and BCCI will navigate this potential impasse. The decision regarding the hosting of the Asia Cup and the participation of the Indian team will have significant implications for the tournament and the cricketing landscape in the region as a whole. All eyes are now on the respective cricket boards as they work towards finding a resolution that ensures the successful staging of the Asia Cup while addressing the concerns raised by all stakeholders involved.