According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) hybrid hosting plan for the Asia Cup 2023. The model suggests hosting four matches in Pakistan and the remaining matches at a neutral venue, although the specific neutral venue is yet to be determined.
According to PCB sources, the opening leg of the tournament would be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the remaining matches scheduled for the Dubai International Stadium. According to the PCB, staging matches in Dubai will result in better ticket sales than venues in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
It should be recalled that the BCCI had previously declined to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and insisted on a neutral venue. The BCCI’s primary concern is the safety and security of its players, which they think can be better ensured in a neutral territory.
Concerns have been expressed as a result of this circumstance, causing PCB Chairman Najam Sethi to ask for a reasonable approach to resolving the matter. Sethi emphasised the need of striking a balance in order to successfully host both the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup later this year.
If India refuses to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Najam Sethi raised doubts about Pakistan’s chances of travelling to India for the ODI World Cup. He emphasised that in such a case, the Pakistani government may prohibit their team from crossing borders, which would have serious consequences for cricket.
While the BCCI’s endorsement of the hybrid hosting model is a significant step forward, the decision regarding the neutral venue is still waiting. This development underscores the importance of diplomatic negotiations and finding common ground to ensure the successful staging of these prestigious cricket events.
