Asia Cup 2023: ACC accepts Pakistan’s hybrid model

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has accepted Pakistan’s proposal for Hybrid Model.

PCB proposed a hybrid model after the BCCI refused to send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

ACC on Thursday announced that the matches will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the basis of a hybrid model.

Under the hybrid model, four matches will be played in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches in Sri Lanka.

The ACC’s decision has settled the stalemate over the hosting of Asia Cup 2023 — a six-nation tournament among Asian countries.

The ACC also revealed the schedule for the much-anticipated tournament which was riddled with controversy due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stubbornness.

“We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from 31st August to 17th September 2023 and will see the elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches,” the council said in a statement issued in this regard.

The Asia Cup will feature two groups, with two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Four stage.

The top two teams from the Super Four stage will then face each other in the final.

The Asia Cup will be a 50-over event as it will be used to prepare for the ODI World Cup scheduled later this year.

Group 1 includes Pakistan, India, and Nepal.

 Group 2 will feature defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

PCB Management Committee Chairperson Najam Sethi, in a statement, said: “I am elated that our hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup 2023 has been accepted. This means the PCB will remain as the event host and stage matches in Pakistan with Sri Lanka as the neutral venue, which was required due to the Indian cricket team’s inability to travel to Pakistan.”

He added that Pakistan understands BCCI’s position in the matter.

“Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders. In this background, the hybrid model was the best solution and that’s precisely why I advocated for it so strongly. The acceptance of the hybrid model means the event will take place as originally planned, the ACC will stay together and united, and the great game of cricket will continue to thrive and move forward in what will be interesting and exciting times for the subcontinent cricket fans in the coming 20 months,” Sethi added.