The 2023 Asia Cup’s fate is once again up in the air amid a storm of uncertainty. The hybrid concept put up for this year’s event has drawn the ire of Zaka Ashraf, the incoming chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who called it an “injustice” that has to be adjusted.
After India rejected to tour due to the tense relations between the two South Asian countries, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) grudgingly agreed to Pakistan’s proposal for a hybrid Asia Cup.
According to this agreement, Pakistan will host four games while Sri Lanka would host the other nine. Nevertheless, Ashraf firmly expressed his objection to the hybrid model in a press conference in Islamabad, saying, “I rejected the hybrid model for the Asia Cup from the beginning because I disagree with it.”
He worries that “only minor teams like Nepal will play in Pakistan,” while the “major matches” would be held in Sri Lanka. Ashraf is adamant that Pakistan should once again serve as the only host by hosting the whole Asia Cup competition.
Ashraf must admit that he is unaware of the choices made by the previous administration because he does not now have access to necessary information. Nevertheless, he promises to evaluate the situation and take prompt action in Pakistan’s best interests.
Hybrid Format: A Fragile Compromise
Pakistan has been designated as the official host of the Asia Cup, which will take place from August 31 to September 17. However, since India refused to play on Pakistani land due to tense tensions, the event changed to a mixed format.
Since their independence from British rule in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, each one fueling the other’s ferocious political rivalry. Since 2012, bilateral series between the two cricketing nations have only been played at international competitions held on neutral grounds.
The PCB interim management committee, headed by former PCB chairman Najam Sethi, accepted the hybrid arrangement to handle this dangerous scenario. However, Ashraf has emerged as one of the two nominees for the board of governors’ consideration, leaving Sethi out of the running for the chairmanship.
Groupings and Super Four
In the suggested arrangement, Group A would consist of Pakistan, India, and Nepal, while Group B would consist of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The Super Four stage sees the top two teams from each group advance, and the title game is slated to take place in Sri Lanka.
In response to Ashraf’s comments, one ACC participant declared, “The ACC has approved the Asia Cup model, and there will be no adjustments. Ashraf has a right to his viewpoint. Conflicting viewpoints and expectations collide in a turbulent cricketing landscape, casting doubt on the future of the Asia Cup.