Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan Contemplates Withdrawal from Asia Cup Amid Rejection of ‘Hybrid Model’

The hosts Pakistan may pull out of the Asia Cup 2023 in September after Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the projected “Hybrid Model” were all abandoned. The “Hybrid Model,” put out by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Najam Sethi, called for Pakistan to host 3 to 4 Asia Cup games while hosting the remaining contests involving India at a neutral site. The proposal was made after India decided against visiting Pakistan due to security reasons. It is now evident that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan support the BCCI’s efforts to have the event moved out of Pakistan.

It is really a formality at this point whether the executive board members of the Asian Cricket Council meet electronically or in person later this month.

A knowledgeable source familiar with the proceedings noted that “but the PCB is now aware that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are not backing their hybrid model proposal for the Asia Cup.”

Pakistan might pull out of Asia Cup 2023 after Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh rejected PCB’s hybrid model. (Reported by PTI). pic.twitter.com/up5uv4UIo4

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 6, 2023

According to the source, Sethi was already in contact with the members of his cricket management committee and the pertinent government authorities to negotiate Pakistan’s position if they were denied the opportunity to host any Asia Cup games at home.

Sethi has consistently stated that Pakistan will not participate in the competition if the tournament is transferred to a single neutral nation from Pakistan, and the source claimed that PCB is planning to demand a boycott of the Asia Cup.

“Pakistan has only two choices. Play the tournament at a neutral site or skip it, according to a source with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

If Pakistan is unable to participate, the event will still be known as the Asia Cup, but the broadcaster will renegotiate the terms of the agreement. According to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and India, hosting the Asia Cup in Pakistan and another country is not logistically or financially possible. Instead, the Asia Cup should be held in Sri Lanka because India is unable to go to Pakistan.