Tag: ACC

  • Uncertainty on Asia Cup about to end, India up for the hybrid model

    Uncertainty on Asia Cup about to end, India up for the hybrid model

    Sections of the Indian media have announced that India will agree to the hybrid model with a few caveats attached.

    The uncertainty surrounding Asia Cup 2023 hosting venue is seemingly about to be resolved amicably on some give and take conditions, the two neighboring boards Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have decided, with both holding negotiations on what they can do for each other.

    Indian media reports have stated that if Pakistan will give written surety that they will travel to India for World Cup 2023 than they will accept the hybrid model proposed by PCB.

    BCCI will formally announce the decision at its May 27 meeting of the general body of the board.

    However, there are now questions on the statement of PCB management committee chairman Najam Sethi in which he said without mincing his words that if India agreed on hybrid model then Pakistan will also propose a similar model for the World Cup in which the country will play their matches in Dhaka.

    If India has security concerns in Pakistan, likewise Pakistan has security concerns in India.

    In a recent statement Mr. Sethi cleared that he has not said that Pakistan will not play the International Cricket Council (ICC) mega event. It is the decision of the government, he said.

    According to hybrid model, India will play their matches at a neutral venue like UAE or Sri Lanka.

    According to sources, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will announce the Asia Cup schedule after India’s decision.

    It should be noted that the ICC World Cup is to be played in India this year, but before that, the Asia Cup will be hosted by Pakistan, in which India refused to participate, after which Pakistan also refused to go to India to participate in the World Cup. However, discussions are ongoing between the two boards on the hybrid model proposed by Pakistan.

  • Get ready Lahore for hosting four matches of Asia Cup

    Get ready Lahore for hosting four matches of Asia Cup

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly all set to disclose the hybrid model venue for Asia Cup 2023, with Gadhafi Stadium in Lahore emerging as the most likely host of the first four matches of the tournament.

    Lahore will be the hot favorite city to host because the country’s cricketing board is there and the city hosted the New Zealand series and PSL final for two years straight.

    Only four matches will take place in Lahore before the action shifts to Dubai under the current proposed model.

    As per media reports, Dubai International Stadium is the favorite option for the second venue in which India can play their matches as well as the rest of teams.

    Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) however has shown concerns over weather conditions in Dubai and rejected the proposal sent by PCB.

    BCB has reportedly said raised that they have no issues if the whole tournament shifts to Pakistan or even Sri Lanka, but they will not take any risk regarding players health ahead of World Cup 2023.

    PCB is reportedly trying to sort out the issue to ease teams’ concerns about the heat in Dubai, mulling changing the starting time of matches to 4:30 PM to alleviate concerns about player safety.

    India’s BCCI is not expected to raise objections over the 2023 Asia Cup venues given the fact that it will not be sending a team to Pakistan anyways.

    The 2023 Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in September with Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh taking part in the tournament.

  • Pakistan ke saath nahin khelna chaahtay: Jay Shah on Indo-Pak bilateral series

    Pakistan ke saath nahin khelna chaahtay: Jay Shah on Indo-Pak bilateral series

    Ahead of World Cup 2023 to be played in India, the matter of hosting Asia Cup has become a thorn of contention between Pakistan and India.

    Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to shift the whole tournament from Pakistan to another venue as the Indian government is not allowing their team to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.

    In a tit for tat move, Pakistan has also threatened India that if BCCI and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) do not resolve the issue on a happy note, then Pakistan also will not travel to India for the World Cup and will instead play their matches at a neutral venue.

    In this chaos, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman offered a bilateral test series on a neutral venue including England, Australia, South Africa or where ever India wants.

    In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Sethi had mentioned the possibility of arranging bilateral Test matches between the arch-rivals at neutral venues, citing the potential for a successful turnout in Australia or England.

    “Yes, I think bilateral Test matches can be played in Australia, England, South Africa,” Sethi had said. “But I think the best bet would be England, and following that Australia. If you can get a house full in any of the Australian stadiums, fine, that would be great.”

    However BCCI secretary Jay Shah refuses to play any kind of bilateral series with Pakistan, saying that they are not at the stage to play any kind of series in the future or in upcoming days.

    The source reaffirmed the BCCI’s stance, making it clear that they are not ready to pursue any cricketing engagements with their Pakistani counterparts.

    “No plans for such kind of series to happen in the future or upcoming days. We aren’t ready for any kind of bilateral series with Pakistan,” the BCCI source was quoted as saying.

    Jay Shah is the son of BJP leader Amit Shah; the ruling party of India who do not want good relations with Pakistan.

    Jay Shah is also the main person behind Asia Cup 2023 controversy between Pakistan and India.

    Despite the extensive popularity of Pakistan-India matches at the box office, both arch-rivals have rarely met outside of major cricketing events due to political issues between the two nations. Their most recent bilateral series was in 2013, and they last played a Test match against each other in December 2007.

  • Asia Cup 2023: Bangladesh rejects Dubai as neutral venue proposed by Pakistan

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a hybrid model to Asian Cricket Council (ACC) as the best possible way to conduct the tournament amicably.

    The model initially proposed that India play their matches at a neutral venue and the rest of the teams come to Pakistan and play their matches, with a possible India vs. Pakistan final taking place at the neutral venue.

    Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly rejected the first hybrid model, prompting Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi to propose a revised version in which the first four matches will take place in Pakistan and then all the teams along with the men in green, move to the neutral venue.

    PCB told ACC and BCCI that they decide the neutral venue because they are the hosts.

    PCB wants Dubai or UAE to be the host of Asia Cup if the hybrid model is considered because the money gateways are clearer in Dubai rather than Sri Lanka or any other venue.

    Bangladesh and Sri Lankan boards have agreed to the hybrid model but Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has observed that it’s too hot in Dubai so that’s why players are not agreeing to play in the desert city.

    “We have no issues if the tournament will be completely played in Pakistan, we have good bilateral relations with Pakistan and PCB, we are ready to come,” the board reported said, adding that they will be ok with Sri Lanka too.

    “The weather in UAE is not suitable for cricket and it will affect the health of players as we can not afford to take any risk specially ahead of World Cup 2023.”

    According to sources quoted by media, Pakistan will travel to India for the World Cup on the basis of some give and take if India agrees in writing that they will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

  • PCB’s hybrid model under discussion as Pankaj Khimji and Jay Shah meet

    PCB’s hybrid model under discussion as Pankaj Khimji and Jay Shah meet

    After a strict warning from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is trying to find the best possible way to resolve the hosting matter for Asia Cup 2023.

    Najam Sethi warned ACC that Pakistan will stick to its stance if hosting rights will be compromised. More likely, Pakistan will boycott World Cup 2023 in India and will not play its matches in the arch-rival country, citing security concerns.

    After Sethi’s clear stance, ACC officials have now called a meeting. Jay Shah, President of ACC who is also secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will meet with the Vice-President ACC Pankaj Khimji today.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered to host the Asia Cup in two phases, first in Pakistan and the other at a neutral venue which is said to be decided mutually.

    Khimji will meet Shah to give him a briefing on the second option of the hybrid model. Moreover, Khimji will also share the details of his meeting with Najam Sethi with Shah.

    After Bangladesh and Sri Lanka agreed on the second hybrid model via email, as per sources, PCB is confident of a final decision by ACC very soon. The second option of the hybrid model is most likely to be accepted.

    ACC is also likely to call a meeting of board members by the end of this month.

    It must be noted that BCCI has refused to send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which is set to take place in September this year, and is keen on ensuring that the event is held at a neutral venue. However, the PCB is not interested in hosting the event outside Pakistan since it would affect its efforts with regards to the return of international cricket in the country.

    Despite being considered one of sport’s greatest rivalries, India and Pakistan have not met on home soil in any version of the game since 2012, and only play each other in multinational tournaments on neutral grounds.

  • ‘Is he mentally stable or not’: Ramiz Raja slams Sethi’s proposal for England to be Asia Cup host

    ‘Is he mentally stable or not’: Ramiz Raja slams Sethi’s proposal for England to be Asia Cup host

    Former Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja has slammed current head of the Board, Najam Sethi, on the issue of Asia Cup 2023 hosting country.

    Sethi is trying to solve the Asia Cup hosting issue amicably with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Jay Shah, President of ACC and also Secretary of BCCI, has been accused of being biased and creating hurdles for Pakistan’s hosting rights of Asia Cup.
    “England could be a possibility as a venue for the Asia Cup,” Sethi said in an interview with BBC.

    Ramiz Raja expressed anger on the statement, raising questions about the mental health of the PCB chairman. “The whole purpose of Asia Cup right before the World Cup is to let the teams get used to Asian conditions.

    I was shocked to hear the Chairman PCB saying it would be great to see the Asia Cup being played at Lord’s. Is he mentally stable or not?” Raja questioned.

    Raja also said that it makes him angry when the chairman is saying that Pakistan Super League (PSL 9) will be conducted in UAE because of taxation issues in Pakistan.

    “On one side you are saying Pakistan is safe for cricket regarding Asia Cup and on the other hand you are saying PSL 9 will be conducted in UAE, what type of perspective are you trying to give, are you out of your mind,” Ramiz Raja asked.

    Former cricketer Salman Butt also took a dig on Sethi’s statement of hosting Asia Cup in England:
    “A neutral venue like this [England] is not viable for Asia Cup, it will not make sense as it will mean that there is not a single venue in Asia where it could be held.”
    “You can include England in it and make it Euro-Asia Cup. You can also give this suggestion. In the past, Austral-Asia Cup used to take place in which Australia participated.

    You can also include Ireland and Netherlands in it. It would be a World Cup-like event, as it will have six teams from Asia and four countries from Europe, so it will be a ten-team tournament. It will be a dress rehearsal for World Cup,” the former Pakistan opener said.

    He also added, “You can come up with as many ideas as possible but you also have to see what is practically possible.”

  • Asia Cup 2023: Hybrid model? Bangladesh and Sri Lanka say okay

    Asia Cup 2023: Hybrid model? Bangladesh and Sri Lanka say okay

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a hybrid model twice meetings with Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

    Pakistan has now gotten green signal from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the second proposal of the hybrid model in which the first four matches will be played in Pakistan and the rest of the tournament will be played in a neutral venue.

    According to reports, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka cricket boards have emailed PCB that they have no issues with the proposed model.

    PCB has proposed two options in the hybrid model. The first option says that India shall play their respective matches at a neutral venue while all other matches will be played in Pakistan, as originally planned.

    The second option says that the initial four matches of the group stage in the primary phase of the tournament shall be played in Pakistan. Moreover, the next phase, including matches of India and finals, are to be played at a neutral venue.

    There is a larger probability and a higher success ratio for the second option to be locked. In that scenario, Pakistan will play their group stage match against Nepal on home ground. Likewise, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will also be playing their pool matches in Pakistan.

    There is a chance that ACC will call a crucial and final meeting this week to discuss the hybrid model.

    Previously, the chairman of PCB, Najam Sethi, gave a straight-up warning of pulling out from Asia Cup 2023 in case the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) doesn’t end up affirming the hybrid model.

    For this very reason, a meeting has been called by ACC, incorporating all members of the council to discuss the hybrid model.

    Jay Shah, ACC President, and also the secretary of BCCI, is the son of Amit Shah, a powerful BJP leader. BCCI initially influenced other teams to back off from playing in Pakistan and BCCI started planning their own five nation version of Asia Cup excluding Pakistan.

    But this all seems to have gone in vain because official broadcasters did not want to exclude Pakistan from the tournament.

    Keeping in mind that earlier, BCCI refuted the idea of sending their team to Pakistan for this year’s Asia Cup and kept on stressing that the entire tournament should be held at a neutral venue.

    On the contrary, PCB is adamant about hosting the event in their territory, at least some part of it; otherwise, it would waive off all the efforts made in order to summon international cricket back to the country.

    Pakistan and India are known arch-rivals based on their historical grounds – fans from both ends of the borders anticipate their face-off on the cricket field with eagerness and excitement.

    However, it’s no less than unfortunate that both the national teams haven’t played each other on home soil in any format of the game since 2012.

  • Solve Asia Cup issue amicably if you want to become ICC chief in the future: Najam Sethi advises Jay Shah

    Solve Asia Cup issue amicably if you want to become ICC chief in the future: Najam Sethi advises Jay Shah

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi has shown concerns about the biased attitude of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Jay Shah who is also the secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

    Sethi said that if the ACC chairman wants to become the head of International cr Cricket Council (ICC) than he has to solve Asia Cup’s issue amicably.

    Jay Shah is the secretary of BCCI and also son of powerful BJP leader Amit Shah. He has refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan to play Asia Cup 2023, saying that the Indian Government is not allowing them to play in Pakistan.

    The excuse is childish and hypocritical because India has sent many other sports teams to Pakistan. If the Indian cricket team has security concerns then why is Indian government allowing other teams to travel in Pakistan, asked Najam Sethi in a BBC podcast.

    He advised the ACC president to be neutral and solve the matter amicably.

    “I think Jay [Shah] is a young man, he aspires to be the head of the ICC,” Sethi told Associated Press (AP). “My advice to my young friend would be if you want to be a leader, you have to keep the herd together, keep the flock together.

    “Don’t let it be said that when you were in the chair in the ACC, the ACC broke up.”

    Najam Sethi also said that we will always be on the helping side for Asian countries.
    “When Aussies pulled out against Afghanistan, we said to them that we will play a series with you and you will get some money from the series,” Sethi remarked.

    We do not have any issues with any team in Asia neither they have any issues with us, he said, adding that its just India.

    He also spoke about the hybrid model for the Asia Cup, which would allow India to play their matches at a neutral venue while the rest of the tournament takes place in Pakistan.

    “Until India is ready to play Pakistan bilaterally and in Pakistan, let’s have a hybrid solution,” he said.

  • ‘We do not have much time to waste anymore’: Najam Sethi asks ACC to decide

    ‘We do not have much time to waste anymore’: Najam Sethi asks ACC to decide

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi has disclosed the crux of his recent meeting with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials and the official broadcaster of Asia Cup 2023.

    In BBC’s podcast ‘Stumped’, PCB Chairman Najam Sethi said that they had proposed a Hybrid Model a month ago to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in which India will play their matches outside Pakistan and the rest of the teams will play their matches in Pakistan. “If India and Pakistan will meet in the final, we will play it at the neutral venue,” he said.

    BCCI secretary and ACC Chairman Jay Shah rejected the proposal by raising questions about logistics.

    “We have made it clear to them that it is we who decide where India can play their matches. If Sri Lanka suits us, we will choose Sri Lanka, but most probably we are prioritizing Dubai. First they have to consider and accept Hybrid Model then further talks begin,” Najam Sethi elaborated.

    That sounds negotiable, the Podcast host said.

    The PCB Chairman then said that they have proposed a revised version of ‘hybrid model’ in the recent meeting held twos days ago with ACC officials, in which the first four matches will be played in Pakistan and then the whole tournament will be shifted to Dubai.

    The ACC then raised a question about the possiblity of travel between two countries with all the crew and equipment.
    Sethi clarified that the teams have to come Pakistan just once.

    The podcaster asked Sethi how long it will take to negotiate, to which he replied, “Look, we only have three months left and we have to prepare. We have to selects the venues, we have to do arrangements for broadcasters. ACC have already wasted too much time, time is running out. ACC have to take a decision now”

    Najam Sethi also said that the World Cup is coming up, and if India does not come to Pakistan, our government will not allow Pakistan to travel to India.

    “If they don’t, why would we? Security risks are on both side,” Sethi concluded.

  • India wants the whole Asia Cup tournament shifted to Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka agrees

    India wants the whole Asia Cup tournament shifted to Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka agrees

    Sri Lanka is now one of the strongest contenders to host Asia Cup 2023 as the recent meeting of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman with the Vice-President of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Pankhaj Khimji seems to have not gone as well as was expected.

    According to a report, PCB Chief Najam Sethi met with ACC officials on Tuesday, May 9, where it was decided that Pakistan would pull out of the tournament because their proposal of hosting it in the UAE was not accepted.

    Asia Cup is scheduled for September this year, but the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, who is also the President of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had threatened that the Indian government would not allow their team to travel to Pakistan because of security concerns.

    Regardless of the current political crisis in Pakistan, the country has just concluded a New Zealand series in peace. Yet Indian media and BCCI officials have based their decision to not send their team to Pakistan on security concerns.

    In the recent meeting with Jay Shah and ACC officials, Najam Sethi proposed a revised ‘Hybrid Model’ in which four teams Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh will play their matches in Pakistan and then all the teams along with Pakistan will move to Dubai to play the whole tournament.

    ACC officials straight away rejected the proposal by raising questions about logistics, asking how broadcasters will travel between the two countries with all the crew and equipment.

    Sethi reply was that they only had to travel to Pakistan only once and then will go to Dubai.

    ACC officials said that ahead of World Cup they cannot take the risk and that weather conditions are not suitable in Dubai for playing cricket.
    Sethi reportedly pointed out that the BCCI held IPL 2020 in Dubai and also in the same season.

    An ultimatum on the matter is expected by the end of this month. Should the decision go against Pakistan, the country’s status as a participant in the Cup would be up in the air, with a boycott being likely in that event.