In light of backing from other Asian countries, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly ready to move through with the hybrid concept for the Asia Cup. The BCCI has a new need, though: they need a written guarantee that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will travel to India for the World Cup 2023 in October.
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The hybrid concept is anticipated to be formally accepted by the BCCI during a Special General Meeting on May 27 in Ahmedabad. The BCCI has been certain that they would not send a squad to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and would rather play in a neutral location. The PCB, on the other hand, is hesitant to organize the tournament outside of Pakistan since it would jeopardize their attempts to revive international cricket in the nation.
The PCB gave the hybrid model two possibilities to break the impasse. The first alternative proposes that Pakistan host all matches while a neutral site is used for India’s matches. The second option has four of the group stage matches taking place in Pakistan, with the remaining games for the Indian squad and the championship game taking place at a neutral site.
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The successful hosting of the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup are both at risk due to the situation, according to Najam Sethi, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee. He voiced worry that, should India decline to go to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Pakistan’s government would forbid their team from entering the country for the World Cup, which would be bad for cricket.
Sethi emphasized the significance of reaching a compromise in order to fix the problems and guarantee the successful hosting of ICC and ACC competitions. He pointed out that the Pakistani squad could not be allowed to travel to India for World Cup games if India declines to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
