While all the cricket-playing nations are preparing for the ODI World Cup, the fate of Asia Cup 2023 is unclear. As the continental tournament was scheduled to be commenced in Pakistan, BCCI raised its voice against it that for security issues, the Indian government would never grant their cricketers to cross the border and go to Pakistan for the tournament. Then PCB proposed to the ACC board that the game might be played in a hybrid mode in Pakistan and UAE venues as BCCI raises their issues. The Bangladesh Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket Board have again raised their objection against this hybrid proposal.
The scenario:
Pakistan Cricket Board wanted to get the Asia Cup 2023 matches in their home and the United Arab Emirates following India’s rejection to travel to Pakistan. But Bangladesh Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket were not agreed to play the matches in the UAE because of the September heat.
In the meantime, Sri Lanka has emerged as a potential alternative venue for the continental championship. Still, the PCB seems reluctant to participate in the tournament if its appeals are not met. It has said that it will be removed from the list if the tournament is moved.
The BCB and the SLC have cited the heat as a factor in September for their reluctance to participate in the UAE. But Pakistan is still believed to have argued that a few games were held in the past in the month of September. In its meeting with the SLC and BCB officials; the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief Najam Sethi, who visited Dubai a few days ago, remarked a 50-over Asia Cup was played in 2018 from 15th September to 28th; the BCCI was the designated host.
He also specifies that in 2022; when Sri Lanka Cricket was the host, the Asia Cup in the T-20 format was held from 27th August to 11th September. He even cited that the Indian Premier League was held in the desert kingdom from September to November 2020. The Pakistan Cricket Board is believed to have insisted on the hybrid mode of Pakistan-UAE; failing which it may pull out.
It is a fact that many Indian cricketers complained of summer heat during the 2018 50-over Asia Cup; which had to be played in the afternoons when it is naturally considered infernally hot in the UAE. The other events were the T-20 championships which could begin in the evenings.
The BCCI, with its secretary Mr Jay Shah as the ACC head, has not said anything. A decision has not been taken yet, but on the face of it; the cricket competition looks to be in danger.
Objections from BCB and SLC:
The BCB and SLC cited logistical challenges in travelling between Pak and a second country during the Asia Cup 2023; which is expected to be commenced in September, a month before the ODI World Cup is held across India. “We have written to the ACC to say that we are against the hybrid model;” Mr Silva, the Sri Lanka Cricket secretary; told a sports channel, “But beyond that, no final decision has been reached. It’s very hot in the UAE at that time of year.”
But the Pakistan Cricket Board remains adamant that its solution works for everyone but India. “The PCB presented a hybrid model that resolves logistics and travel and production issues,” a PCB spokesperson told a sports channel; “The board reiterated its position that we would not play the Asia Cup if the Pakistan-plus-neutral-venue model is rejected.”
In this situation, Afghanistan is neutral. An Afghanistan spokesperson said, “In the previous two ACC meetings; we have strongly emphasised the importance of conducting the event at the scheduled time,” He also added to the sports channel, “As for the venue, we are abiding by the decisions made by the ACC and have no interest in favouring or objecting to any particular board’s stance on the matter. Our priority is to ensure a fair and competitive tournament that benefits the growth and development of cricket in the region.”
Finale verdict:
The entire situation has arisen just because of the political clash between the two countries- India and Pakistan. Pakistan is adamant and intends to force BCCI to join their nation and participate in the Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan’s political condition has recently been unstable, and any of the events may commence. Considering all these things, the BCCI refused to go to Pakistan to participate in the tournament. However, one main reason BCB and SLC oppose Pakistan’s ‘Hybrid’ proposal is financial expenditures. Therefore, the decision regarding this issue still needs to be clarified.
