Asia Cup 2023 was seemingly back on track after all the members gave their nod to the Hybrid model. Pakistan were set to host 4 games while the rest of the tournament was set to be hosted in Sri Lanka. The reason behind this move was India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan. Just when it seemed that everything was settled and the tournament was going to take place without any further trouble, a new curve ball has come in the form of Zaka Ashraf.
The story as it happened –
Zaka Ashraf is the name that is being linked to the top job of the Pakistan Cricket Board. In a statement made by Zaka Ashraf, the incoming PCB chief has made statements where in he has spoken out against the Hybrid Model which was accepted by Najam Sethi the outgoing PCB chief. This now has thrown a new challenge as the fate of 2023 Asia Cup has again become uncertain.
Zaka Ashraf’s statement on Asia Cup 2023 –
In a recent interaction with the press, Zaka Ashraf said “I had previously rejected the hybrid model for the Asia Cup because I fundamentally disagree with it. If the Asian Cricket Council had decided to hold it in Pakistan, then we should have hosted it”
ACC comes up with a hard-hitting reply to Zaka Ashraf –
Once the statement by Zaka Ashraf was made, the Asian Cricket Council made their displeasure known. The statement by the incoming PCB chief was perhaps a direct attack on Jay Shah who had made up his mind of India not touring Pakistan.
ACC in a statement said “The Asia Cup model has been accepted by the ACC, and there will be no change. Ashraf is free to express his opinions.”
PCB’s move because of ICC and BCCI’s refusal?
Pakistan recently had asked the ICC and BCCI to move few venues for their 50 over world cup later this year. Pakistan wanted to play against Afghanistan in Bangalore and the game against Australia to be shifted to Chennai. There were few other games that Pakistan wanted to be shifted. Now there is talks of Pakistan not travelling to India for the world cup.