Asia Cup 2023

'Viral hone ko nautanki krte hai' - Fans react as Zaka Ashraf confirms PCB accept 'hybrid model' for Asia Cup 2023

The likely new chairman of PCB, Zaka Ashraf, has confirmed that PCB has accepted the 'hybrid model' of hosting Asia Cup 2023.

author-image
Akshay
New Update
Zaka Ashraf

Zaka Ashraf (Source: Twitter)

Zaka Ashraf Zaka Ashraf (Source: Twitter)

The uncertainty surrounding the 2023 Asia Cup was resolved as the 'hybrid model' of tournament hosting proposed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) was approved, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) led by Najam Sethi. However, the turmoil surrounding the Asia Cup resurfaced with a leadership change imminent in the PCB and Sethi's withdrawal from the race for the next chairmanship.

The prospective new PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, had rejected his predecessor's 'hybrid model' for the 50-over competition to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in September. Despite the reports indicating that Pakistan would withdraw from the tournament if the ACC chose to do the same, there was a surprising twist when Ashraf confirmed that the PCB had accepted the model. However, he expressed his displeasure with the arrangement, stating that the decision had already been made.

"In my opinion, this hybrid model isn't beneficial for Pakistan, and I didn't like it. Being a host, Pakistan should have negotiated better to make sure that the entire tournament should have played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka taking the bigger lot of games, leaving Pakistan with only four games, isn't in the best interest of our country," Ashraf said in an interaction with ESPNcricinfo.

"But I see the decision has been made, so we have to go with it. I will not block or have any intention not to comply with the decision. I cannot do much about it but to honour the commitment. But going forward, every decision we make will be made for and in the interest of the country," he added.

Ashraf is free to say whatever he wants: ACC

The drama over the 2023 Asia Cup started after the Indian Cricket Board refused to allow its players to travel to Pakistan. This forced Pakistan to propose a 'hybrid model', later approved by the ACC. Under this model, Pakistan would host four matches, and Sri Lanka would host the remaining matches, including the highly anticipated IND vs PAK encounter.

After the new PCB chief rejected the already approved model, the ACC bolded that the tournament would go as planned. “ACC has accepted the Asia Cup model, and there would be no change. Ashraf is free to say whatever he wants,” an ACC board member told PTI.

Here's how fans reacted: 

India Pakistan PCB Asia Cup 2023