It was June 2023, and we had just broken the news that the hybrid model was the way forward for the Asia Cup and that it would be announced soon. Within moments of breaking the story, I remember getting a call from a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) functionary who asked me why I did not give credit to Najam Sethi, whose idea it was to play the Asia Cup on the hybrid model? When I rebutted saying it was the Asian Cricket Council’s idea, I was asked to verify my sources and told I did not know the ground reality.
Within days, on June 15, 2023, the PCB issued the following press release: “Najam Sethi, Chair of the PCB Management Committee, has thanked the Asian Cricket Council for accepting HIS (emphasis mine) hybrid model for the ACC Asia Cup 2023…”
In the same press release, Sethi was quoted as saying, “I am elated that our hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup has been accepted.” He went on to say, “Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders. In this background, the hybrid model was the best solution and that’s precisely why I advocated for it so strongly.”
The question then is if the hybrid model was indeed Pakistan’s idea, as was claimed above, why is Pakistan moving away from it? If the PCB chief could accept just a year ago that the matter isn’t in the BCCI’s hands and that the hybrid model is indeed the best solution, what has changed in the last 17 months? Why does Pakistan want to play hardball at this point in time?
The answer is fairly simple. To queer the pitch for Jay Shah. They know that Shah will be taking over as ICC Chairman on December 1, and this is an attempt to unsettle him at the very outset. As ICC boss, Shah will have to deliver the ICC Champions Trophy and this Pakistani ploy could just make life difficult for him as he gets ready for his international assignment.
That’s what brings me to doubt the real motive behind this. The timing, one has to say, is interesting. Would Pakistan have taken the same stand if someone from the PCB was taking over as ICC Chairman? Would Pakistan then have played hardball?
When it was so gung ho about the hybrid model and determined to lay claim to it in 2023, why is it so intent on rejecting it this time round? Is it not politics that is being played out there? Can the ICC and the rest of the cricket world not see through it? Is the PCB press release from June 2023 not evidence that the hybrid model was indeed considered the way forward?
While we don’t really know how long the PCB can continue to hold on to its stance, what we do know is that deep down, this is a political act. And it is meant to hurt Shah, because it is an Indian who is taking over as ICC boss. And that’s where things become unfair. The BCCI is asking the PCB to follow the hybrid model, which it was so proud of. And if they could do it a year ago, why not now? To quote Sethi again, “Please note this hybrid model is a new innovation. With this many doors will open in the future.”
Instead of opening doors, the PCB is now intent on shutting them. And that’s the truth.
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