ZAKA ASHRAF REJECTS THE HYBRID MODEL FOR THE ASIA CUP 2023
ZAKA ASHRAF REJECTS THE HYBRID MODEL FOR THE ASIA CUP 2023:
A wave of change in PCB policies is expected as the new PCB chairman is all set to take hold of the office in a few days and he has already raised concerns about the Hybrid Model for the Asia Cup 2023.
Zaka Ashraf, who is all set to return as the new Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board has labeled this Hybrid Model for the Asia Cup 2023 as an injustice to Pakistan and he is not ready to accept this which the previous management committee was very happy after the approval of this Hybrid Model for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.
Even though the Hybrid Model for the Asia Cup is accepted by the Indian Cricket Board and Asian Cricket Council, and the schedule of the Asia Cup 2023 is also announced but this statement from Zaka Ashraf who is expected to be the next PCB chairman has again raised many questions on the future of the Asia Cup 2023 tournament.
During a media interaction, the expected PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf openly opposes the Hybrid Model of the Asia Cup 2023 tournament, he thinks that the entire tournament should be played in Pakistan and this shows the stance of Zaka Ashraf related to the Asia Cup 2023 to be played entirely in Pakistan.
The incoming Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Zaka Ashraf has also expressed a desire that he wants to look into this matter once he takes charge as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, he will review the stance of PCB related to the hosting of the Asia Cup 2023 tournament in Pakistan.
Zaka Ashraf further believes that this Model that is approved for the Asia Cup 2023 will not benefit Pakistan in any case because the main matches are held outside Pakistan and this is not good for Pakistan cricket.
‘’ I have rejected the Hybrid Model for the Asia Cup because I don’t agree with it. It is an injustice to Pakistan. With this model, we will get matches of minor teams like Nepal, etc. in Pakistan and that’s why in my view, It’s not right to hold main matches outside of Pakistan. Because we are the hosts, the complete event should take place at home ‘’, he clarified his stance on Hybrid Model.
By the look of things, it now seems that Zaka Ashraf is not ready to go with the flow as he has hinted that even though there is limited time available but he will try to make the required changes regarding the Hybrid Model for the Asia Cup 2023 to be played completely in Pakistan, which will be beneficial for Pakistan.
‘’ I don’t know what decisions are taken by the previous management committee as I don’t have access to the information regarding this. I will go, and see. I will try my best to take the best decision for my country in the shortest time possible as there are many pending issues that I will decide later as I haven’t taken over officially ‘’, he further added.
The previous officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board, the management committee which was headed by Najam Sethi proposed this Hybrid Model once India refused to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023 – Indian Cricket Board wanted to shift the entire Asia Cup 2023 outside Pakistan but to save the Asia Cup 2023, Najam Sethi proposed this Hybrid Model which after so many speculations was finally accepted last week but now again there is an uncertainty on the future of the Asia Cup 2023.
The Asian Cricket Council and the Indian Cricket Board accepted this model proposed by Najam Sethi and he was also very happy with the acceptance of this model for the Asia Cup 2023, he also thanked the President of ACC and the Secretary of BCCI, Jay Shah for his support regarding the Hybrid Model of Asia Cup but now the upcoming PCB chairman has totally rejected of what Najam Sethi has done in the past 4-5 months.
According to the approved Hybrid Model, the Asia Cup 2023 tournament will be held in two different countries. Pakistan being the host of the tournament will host four matches in their country and the rest of the nine matches will be played at Srilanka. The matches between India and Pakistan will be played at a neutral venue, i.e. Srilanka as the Indian cricket Board refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.
Najam Sethi has further announced that Pakistan Cricket Team will play two matches at home in the Asia Cup 2023 as per the Hybrid Model, all the other teams will tour Pakistan once for their matches in the first phase except the Indian Cricket Team.
- The schedule of the Asia Cup 2023 is officially announced after the acceptance of the Hybrid Model regarding the Asia Cup – there will be 13 matches in the tournament this year and the matches will be played from AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 17 in two countries, Pakistan and Srilanka.
