The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly discontented with Sri Lanka Cricket for expressing its readiness to host the entire Asia Cup 2023, leading to the PCB rejecting the Sri Lankan offer for an ODI series on its home ground.
This discord was heightened when Sri Lanka announced their desire to host the Asian tournament rather than adhering to Najam Sethi’s proposed ‘Hybrid Model.’ Sethi’s plan involved initiating four matches in Pakistan before transitioning the second phase to the UAE.
It is reported that the strained relationship between the two cricket boards is the catalyst for PCB’s refusal of Sri Lanka’s offer to play several ODI matches in conjunction with their two-Test series in July this year; a series that forms part of the World Test Championship (WTC).
“The PCB’s disapproval of the Sri Lankan board’s proposition to host the Asia Cup in September, when it’s Pakistan’s turn to organize the regional event at home, is obvious. Initially receptive to the proposal, the board later switched its stance. Najam Sethi, the Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, voiced his disapproval towards the reactions from the Bangladesh and Afghanistan boards, who failed to back his hybrid model proposal for the Asia Cup 2023.
The report further discloses that Sethi had expected Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, countries with which Pakistan traditionally shares friendly ties, to leverage their influence and encourage other Asian Cricket Council members, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), to consider playing three to four matches in Pakistan before relocating the tournament.
Sethi was hopeful that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, nations with which Pakistan has a long-standing friendly rapport, would persuade the BCCI and other Asian Cricket Council board members to agree to his proposal and to host at least three to four games in Pakistan for the Asia Cup before moving the tournament to another location.
