BCCI not in favour of PCB's ’’hybrid-model’’ for Asia Cup, impasse continues

The impasse over the hosting of the Asia Cup 2023 looks set to continue after it was reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not in favour of the proposed "hybrid-model".

A Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official confirmed to the Daily Mirror that a final decision was differed until the next Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting.  

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which holds the rights to host this year's tournament, had proposed a "hybrid-model" after India had stated that it would not tour Pakistan. 

The PCB proposal was for Pakistan to host the group stage matches that did not involve India, before the tournament moved to a neutral venue, with Sri Lanka touted as a potential option. 

A decision was expected over the weekend on the sidelines of the Indian Premier League final, for which officials of Sri Lanka,

Afghanistan and Bangladesh were invited, but that now appears to have been pushed to a later date. 

The BCCI, it was reported by PTI, want the entire tournament to be played in a neutral venue. 

It was also reported that Pakistan could boycott the Cricket World Cup in October, scheduled to be held in India, over their hard stance on the Asia Cup. 

ICC President Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Officer Geoff Allardice are expected to travel to Pakistan to discuss the matter further with the PCB, reports added. 

(SMD)