Najam Sethi could not extinguish the fire set by Rameez Raja, missed the opportunity after 15 years, Pakistan was surrounded from all sides

New Delhi. Monday’s hot afternoon proved to be a bit too hot for the Pakistan Cricket Board. The news that came out from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) made PCB chairman Najam Sethi drenched in sweat. PTI quoted ACC sources as saying that Pakistan has been stripped of hosting the Asia Cup 2023. There is a preparation to shift the tournament to Sri Lanka. In this decision, the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Cricket Boards are standing with the BCCI.

This was the second time in the history of Asia Cup when Pakistan got the chance to host the tournament. For the PCB, which organized the tournament for the last time in 2008, it was like a wish come true. The PCB, which was trying to revive international cricket in Pakistan, was ready to make every effort to bring the teams to the country. However, during the T20 World Cup 2022, BCCI Secretary Jai Shah refused to send Team India to Pakistan. He cited the current situation and security of Pakistan as the reason for this.

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Furious with this announcement of India, the then PCB chief Rameez Raja threatened not to come to India for the ODI World Cup 2023. A few days later there was a political coup in Pakistan cricket as well and Najam Sethi became the chief of PCB. However, he also insisted on not getting the Asia Cup held at a neutral venue. After threats and all-round beating, Najam Sethi gave up the hybrid model. According to this, India’s matches in the tournament were to be held at neutral venues and all the remaining matches in Pakistan.

Why was the hybrid model not approved?
According to ACC sources, it is not just about hosting Pakistan. India and Pakistan are in a group in the tournament and in such a situation the third team will have to travel from Pakistan to another country, which is not correct. This will prove to be a cost-enhancing deal for the broadcasters as well.

Why Sri Lanka most favorite?
According to media reports, Oman had also offered to host the Asia Cup along with the UAE. However, in both these countries, the heat is at its peak in September. Since the ODI World Cup is to be held only a month after the Asia Cup, no cricket board wants to take any risk regarding the players. Past experiences also went against the UAE. Actually, UAE had hosted the Asia Cup 2018. During the tournament, the players had to face problems due to extreme heat. During this, Hardik Pandya was also injured. Even in the IPL 2020 held in UAE, the players had to bear the brunt of the weather. On the other hand, September is the monsoon season in Sri Lanka. In such a situation, Dambulla and Pallekele with less rainfall can prove to be better venues for the tournament. The distance between these two cities is also not much. Sri Lanka was the host of the Asia Cup in 2022.

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What will Pakistan do now?
According to media reports, Pakistan can boycott the Asia Cup. In such a situation, there will be a tournament between the teams of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal. However, the big question is about the ODI World Cup to be held in India in October-November. PCB may boast now, but it will not be easy for him to walk away from the tournament. Pakistan, which aspires to get the old threat in international cricket, will have to take opposition from the ICC for doing so. PCB chairman Najam Sethi can make a living for a few days with the earnings of the Pakistan Super League, but in the end he will have to go to the ICC.

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Tags: asia cup, BCCI, India Vs Pakistan, PCB