Islamabad: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is getting ready for the Asia Cup, but this time Pakistan may not be part of the tournament, reported The Telegraph India. Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and ACC chairman, has made it clear to the other countries that they will not accept Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) suggested "hybrid model." Shah recently discussed this with the heads of member nations and proposed that the tournament should take place at a single venue, specifically Sri Lanka.

PCB had proposed a hybrid model, under which the initial four matches of the group stage in the primary phase of the tournament shall be played in Pakistan. Moreover, the next phase, including matches of India and finals, is to be played at a neutral venue. In that scenario, Pakistan will play their group stage match against Nepal on home ground. Likewise, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will also be playing their pool matches in Pakistan. The PCB had designated Dubai as a favored neutral location within a hybrid framework. The report further added that Pakistan will be informed during the next executive board meeting of the ACC that all other participating nations have agreed to play in Sri Lanka.

The PCB, as the designated hosts, will have to comply and play in Sri Lanka or withdraw. In that case, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will be the four teams participating, with the inclusion of a fifth team yet to be decided.

India's refusal to tour Pakistan and not accepting the hybrid model may push Pakistan to consider pulling out of World Cup. The PCB has reportedly informed ICC officials that their participation in the World Cup depends on government clearance.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 02 2023

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