Should Pakistan loses the privilege of organizing the Asia Cup 2023 in the country, then there is a “extremely serious potential” that they may skip this year’s World Cup in India, according to Najam Sethi, the chairman of Pakistan’s cricket board.
The deteriorating political ties involving India and Pakistan during the past ten years have made bilateral cricket between the 2 nations an endangered sport as the two neighbors presently face one another in multi-team tournaments held in neutral locations.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made an offer to allow India to participate in their games in the United Arab Emirates according to what has been labelled a “hybrid model” as they have decided against visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup in September due to security issues.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to speak on the hybrid model with Najam Sethi suggesting that India wants the entire Asia Cup 2023 to be moved from Pakistan. He further said that if Pakistan lose the hosting rights then the consequences will be seen on 2025 Champions Trophy as well as the World cup later this year.
They want all the matches in a neutral venue. BCCI should take a good, rational decision so that we don’t have any problems going forward. India should not be looking at a situation where we end up boycotting the Asia Cup and also the World Cup, and then India ends up boycotting the Champions Trophy. That will be a huge mess.” – Najam Sethi said.
Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh and UAE were among the 3 options that were included in the Hybrid Model but due to logistical reasons and weather, Asia Cup 2023 is unlikely to apply the Hybrid model. The latest development as of now remains that Pakistan will not travel to India for the World cup if India doesn’t comply to play in the Asia Cup.
