In a major development, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s proposed hybrid hosting model for the Asia Cup 2023 is likely to get a final nod from participating teams such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and, most importantly, India. The tournament, which will be played in the 50-over format this time, is set to be held in two parts – the first in Pakistan, and the second at another venue – in the first half of September.
While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was being tipped as the second venue to host the final phase of Asia Cup 2023, the participating teams are a bit apprehensive about the location due to the harsh summer heat, as per sources privy to the development.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had been in a deadlock in terms of playing the Asia Cup in Pakistan. Given the tense political relations between the two countries, the BCCI had refused to travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns for the players and staff.
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The PCB had proposed a couple of hybrid models, the first of which was vehemently rejected by the other teams. That involved teams traveling to and from the UAE and Pakistan to play their games. No teams wanted the headache of heading to the UAE every other day for matches. It would also have been a logistical nightmare.
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Najam Sethi, the PCB chairperson, had then proposed a new hybrid model that involved teams like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal playing their initial matches in Pakistan, before shifting the tournament to the UAE for games featuring India, and the knockout stages. In all likelihood, this model will get the final nod. However, it remains to be seen which country hosts the second phase of the tournament.