In a detailed statement, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah shed light on the decision-making process behind the venue selection for the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Shah, who also serves as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), clarified why the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was not considered a suitable choice for hosting the prestigious tournament.
Jay Shah also addressed the dynamic interactions that took place with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), attributing some of the complexities to recent leadership changes within the PCB. The statement aimed to provide clarity on the intricate processes and considerations involved in organizing such a high-profile cricket event.
“All the full members, media rights holder, and in-stadia rights holders were initially hesitant to commit to hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan. This reluctance stemmed from concerns related to the security and economic situation prevailing in the country,” Shah said in a release.
"In my capacity as ACC President, I was committed to finding a viable and mutually agreeable solution. To this end, I had accepted the hybrid model that was proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in collaboration with the ACC management. However, it's important to note that the leadership of the PCB underwent several changes, and this resulted in some back-and-forth negotiations, particularly regarding crucial aspects such as tax exemption and insurance for matches.
"The Asia Cup 2022 edition was played in the UAE in the T20 format. It's important to emphasize that the dynamics of a T20 tournament cannot be directly compared to those of a 100-over One-day format. In this context, ACC members received feedback from their respective high-performance teams, expressing concerns about playing One-day matches in the UAE in the month of September. Such a schedule could have potentially led to player fatigue and an increased risk of injuries, particularly right before the all-important ICC Cricket World Cup.
“The decision-making process regarding the Asia Cup 2023 format and venue was guided by a sincere desire to prioritize the well-being of the players, as well as the overarching interests of the sport. Ultimately, the goal was to strike a balance that would allow for a competitive and successful tournament while ensuring the health and readiness of the participating teams for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023,” the release added.
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