Zaka Ashraf, who is likely to succeed Najam Sethi as Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) new chairman in the coming days, has made a controversial statement revealing that he was not in favour of ‘hybrid model’ of Asia Cup 2023 which was accepted by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) last week.
"The first point is that I had rejected the hybrid model (for Asia Cup) in the past itself - because I do not agree with it. The board of the Asian Cricket Council had decided that it should be held in Pakistan, then we should host it," Ashraf said during a press conference on June 21.
Ashraf's comments may lead to sour relations between arch-rivals Pakistan and India if it leads to changes in Asia Cup venue.
As Sethi announced on Twitter that he will not reapply for the PCB chairman post, Ashraf's appointment is almost a formality. Sethi went on to express his disappointment over the four Asia Cup matches that will be played in Pakistan.
"All the main matches are happening outside (of Pakistan). (Teams like) Nepal and Bhutan are going to play in Pakistan - which is not fair for Pakistan. I do not know what the board has decided previously, I do not have the access to the information.
"I will check, whatever is doable in the shortest possible time, will do that for the betterment of Pakistan," he said.
Ashraf did not try to take on Sethi but indicated that the discussions are yet to take place about Pakistan's participation in ODI World Cup 2023 which will be hosted by India.
"There are challenges lined up ahead for Pakistan, there are many pending issues, the Asia Cup is there, then the World Cup, the team's preparations, a lot of issues. I do not want to speak against anyone because I have not (yet) taken over," Ashraf said while not wanting to say anything about Sethi.
"Once I take over, will see what the scenario is. I always take media along, I do not hide anything. We have to work for the betterment of Pakistan, we have a clear conscious."
As per reports, it was also revealed that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and International Cricket Council (ICC) have rejected PCB’s request for change in venues. These issues are the main reasons why the scheduled for ODI World Cup has not been released yet.
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