KARACHI: The hosting rights of the 2023 Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in ODI format, are with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the ACC chairman, has made it clear that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan. The reason according to analysts is the Indian anxiety of being defeated on Pakistan soil. In the past, it was observed that on return from Pakistan tour about half of the Indian team was dismantled due to poor performance.   

The other reason is guessed to deprive Pakistan of the windfall gate money being collected by the matches between both crowd-puller teams. And the amount of money the official broadcaster has committed to telecast deals that include at least two assured India-Pakistan games. If the two teams make the final, the third game would be a bonanza. It must be remembered the media rights and the agreement with Star Sports, who have paid millions for, at least, two Pakistan vs. India matches in the Asia Cup.

In order to break the deadlock, Pakistan presented a hybrid model for Asia Cup at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, under which other teams would play their matches in Pakistan, while the Indian team would play their matches in another country. Last month, when the Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Najam Sethi presented the hybrid model, ACC President, Jay Shah, also expressed his interest in the model, but upon returning to India, he opposed it. This is a clear indication of the Indian regime’s ulterior motives.   According to sources, if PCB remains firm on its position regarding the hybrid model, then Asia Cup might not be able to take place this year, and PCB is prepared for it. The possibility of holding the entire event in another country has been rejected by PCB. Sri Lanka wants to host the event in their own country and UAE is also ready to stage the Asia Cup again, but PCB maintains that if the issue is not resolved now, the problem will continue in the future and difficulties can also arise in hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025.

 It is understood that the BCCI wants the entire tournament to be shifted to the UAE. PCB is concerned about public reaction over the complete transfer of the event to the UAE. If the Asia Cup does not take place this year, it may also affect Pakistan's preparations for the 2023 World Cup in India. We must refuse to play in India, the public opinion is quite firm in Pakistan, according to analysts.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 05 2023

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