Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi confirmed the possibility of the Indian cricket team playing their Asia Cup 2023 matches at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan.
As for Asia Cup 2023, Sethi will raise a proposal in front of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to conduct India’s matches at a neutral venue and the rest in Pakistan. While discussion for ODI World Cup 2023 with International Cricket Council (ICC) has not been initiated, as confirmed by the PCB chairman on Thursday.
PCB Chairman Najam Sethi clarifies their stand on Asia Cup and ODI WC 2023-
“Although we did not talk about such things, but yes, anybody can trigger debate for not playing World Cup matches in India and if the Pakistani government will ask us not to play in India, then we will have to look towards the hybrid model,” he said.
According to several reports, Team India won’t be travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, due to which they might play their matches in another country, possibly in UAE or Qatar.
“If India do not come here to play Asia Cup matches, the Pakistan public could ask the PCB why Pakistan is playing in India,” he further added.
Reports had also suggested that Pakistan might play its matches in Pakistan, while India playing at a neutral venue. And if India reached the final of the Asia cup, the match would be shifted to the same venue.
“In this background, the PCB is disappointed that a leading English language newspaper has misquoted, misinterpreted and misrepresented Mr Sethi’s comments and gave the impression that PCB’s hybrid model was presented and discussed at the ICC, which is factually incorrect,” he stated.
“At this stage, the PCB is only in discussions with the ACC over the hosting of the ACC Asia Cup and no discussions regarding the World Cup have taken place with the ICC,” concluded Sethi.
On the other hand, PCB chief Najam Sethi stated that there should be a middle way to solve problems related to Indo-Pak cricket relations. He indicated that if the Indian government doesn’t allow BCCI to send the Indian team to Pakistan for Asia, then Pakistan might not come to India for the World Cup.
While, Asia Cup 2023 is set to be hosted in Pakistan, in September, India is the host of the ODI World Cup 2023, which will start later in this year.