The Asia Cup announcement on Thursday was perhaps the only available option left for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). In an ideal scenario, you wouldn’t want a hybrid-hosting model. But then, without it, Pakistan wouldn’t have been part of the tournament. And without Pakistan, the whole edifice of the ACC becomes weaker. The ACC was originally founded on the premise of keeping the Asian bloc together. Without Pakistan, it would lose sheen. Also, without India and Pakistan playing each other, the broadcaster, in this case Star Sports, wouldn’t want to pay even a third of the monies agreed. Estimates say that 79 percent of the revenue comes from the India-Pakistan contests in the Asia Cup. Without those matches, the tournament makes little economic sense.
In fact, the reason the ACC forever clubs India and Pakistan in the same group is because it doesn’t want to take chances. By having them in the same group, they are assured of two India-Pakistan matches and possibly a third in the final. Even if one of the two teams fails, like it happened with India in Dubai last year, you are assured of two blockbuster games which rake in serious money. India Pakistan games are like the IPL. Whoever loses, the organisers win. The money is assured, and the viewership at a premium.
- Also Read: Asia Cup 2023 Hybrid Model Approved: ACC announces schedule and venue details for the tournament
For Pakistan, many would argue that this has been a face-saver. In fact, it is the same for the ACC. There was no other option to salvage the tournament. Pakistan, led by Najam Sethi, whose idea it was, has expressed elation at the model being accepted. In reality, Pakistan despite being hosts, are not hosting even a third of the games. But then, the number was never the issue. Posturing was. It was important for Sethi to be able to show that Pakistan is also taken seriously, and not just brushed aside by India. Had the model been rejected, Pakistan would have had no option but to withdraw and take an extreme step. So, for Sethi, the decision comes as a huge relief more than anything else.
BREAKING 🚨
Pakistan’s senior cricket journalist Shahid Hashmi calls the hybrid model a face saver for Pakistan!
Listen in 👇@ThumsUpOfficial @hashmi_shahid @BoriaMajumdar @debasissen @ACCMedia1 #AsiaCup2023 #AsiaCup #IndVsPak pic.twitter.com/9sLW3w4yGB
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) June 15, 2023
While the schedule hasn’t been announced yet, it is likely that the tournament opener will be played in Lahore, and the final in Pallekele in Sri Lanka. That is the only way you can avoid too much travel for the players. Also, the ACC is likely to choose two cities, one each in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and not opt for multiple venues to minimise travel. With the monsoon still active in Sri Lanka in early September, the coast is ruled out as an option. Hence, Pallekele on the outskirts of Kandy in the hill country.
The decision, arrived at after much deliberation, is a temporary solution that keeps all stakeholders happy. It also solved the World Cup puzzle, with Pakistan now all set to come to India for the competition. It was active diplomacy at play at the ACC, and while the wedges remain, the pot-shots will stop. For the time being, at least.