Sri Lanka’s gamers have a good time with the trophy on the finish of the Asia Cup Twenty20 worldwide cricket ultimate match in opposition to Pakistan in Dubai. File
| Photo Credit: AFP
In an enormous setback to Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on May 8 determined to move the Asia Cup out of the nation after PCB’s proposal to host the tournament on a ‘hybrid model’ was rejected by the member nations.
Sri Lanka has emerged as a front-runner to host the six-nation tournament as extraordinarily humid situations within the UAE within the month of September may lead to accidents to gamers.
It might be fascinating to see if Pakistan, after this snub, competes within the tournament, scheduled to be held from September 2-17.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was pressured to suggest another after BCCI refused to ship the Indian crew to the neighbouring nation due to diplomatic stress between the 2 international locations.
The PCB is hopeful that there might be one other spherical of discussions on May 9 in case there’s a change of coronary heart.
PCB had proposed that India play their video games within the UAE whereas Pakistan host their matches on residence soil.
“Najam Sethi (PCB chairman) was in Dubai today to procure support but to his horror there were no takers for his proposal of Pakistan playing its games in Karachi or Lahore and India playing in UAE. Sri Lanka was always with BCCI and now even Bangladesh Cricket Board seemed opposed to the idea,” an ACC supply advised PTI.
“ACC has always maintained that in principle the ‘hybrid model’ is unacceptable and the budgetary sanctions can never be passed.” “Also it’s not about Pakistan hosting its own matches. It also means that if India and Pakistan are in same group, the third team will be travelling to and fro between Dubai and a city in Pakistan,” the supply added.
What added gas to the fireplace is PCB’s current determination to host Pakistan Super League’s matches in UAE due to escalated prices of safety preparations.
“Also logistically, the broadcasters wouldn’t want to send separate units in two countries. Sri Lanka, just like UAE doesn’t require inter-city flights whether you play at the Khettarama (Premadasa Stadium), SSC or Galle or Kandy,” he added.
However, the ACC chairman Jay Shah will want to convene an Executive Body assembly to make the choice official.
In the prevailing scenario, whether or not Pakistan participates within the occasion or decides in opposition to coming to India for the World Cup stays to be seen.
“Even ICC won’t agree to Pakistan playing its matches outside India (during World Cup). So let’s see what PCB decides,” the supply added.
