LAHORE: Najam Sethi, Chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, has thanked the Asian Cricket Council for accepting his hybrid model for the ACC Asia Cup 2023, which is now scheduled from 31 August to 17 September.

This will be the first time since 2008 that matches of a multi-nation cricket tournament will be staged in Pakistan. Fifteen years ago, Pakistan successfully delivered the six-team ACC Asia Cup 50-over tournament. Sethi, in a video statement released by the PCB, briefly after the ACC unveiled the venues and schedule of this year’s Asia Cup, extended his gratitude to the continental council before asserting to understand the Board of Cricket Control in India’s (BCCI) position. “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. “Our passionate fans would have loved to see the India cricket team in action in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, but we understand the BCCI’s position. Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders,” he added. Najam Sethi further emphasized the importance of the hybrid model and claimed that it will keep the ACC united. “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,” stated Sethi.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 16 2023

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