With the Asia Cup 2023's venue still under doubt, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now reportedly not pleased with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and their desire to host the entire Asia Cup. In doing so, the cricket board of Pakistan has also declined the latter's offer to play an ODI bilateral series in the island nation, says a report from PTI.
According to sources within the PCB, the relations between PCB and SLC turned sour after they offered to host the entire Asia Cup instead of four games per the 'Hybrid Model' proposed by Najam Sethi. "An example of the increasingly strained relations between the two boards emerged after the PCB turned down a proposal by the Lankans to play a few One-Day International matches next month in Sri Lanka," the PCB source stated.
The Pakistan cricket team is slated to travel to Sri Lanka in July to play two Tests in the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and the SLC had also reportedly suggested adding a few ODIs in the mix as well as they are optimistic that their team will qualify for the ODI World Cup from the qualifiers in Zimbabwe and hence, would need more exposure before the main event in October-November.
However, a reliable source confirmed that after initially saying they would consider it, the proposal has now been turned down. "It is a clear indication that the PCB is not happy with the Sri Lankan board stepping in to offer to host the Asia Cup in September when it is Pakistan's turn to host the regional event at home," the source said.
He said in fact PCB chairman Sethi is also not happy with the response of the Bangladesh and Afghanistan boards over the Asia Cup issue. "Sethi expected Sri Lanka with whom Pakistan has long had friendly relations, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to convince the Indian Cricket Board and other Asian Cricket Council board members to go with the proposal put by Sethi and at least play three to four games in Pakistan of the Asia Cup before moving the tournament elsewhere."
"He is disappointed at the way things have panned out in recent days especially when some of these board heads went to India for the IPL final and met with the BCCi secretary Jay Shah," the source added.
The PCB has not responded to Indian media reports that the BCCI and Jay Shah have rejected Sethi’s hybrid model proposal and want the Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka. But insiders say that the PCB is now preparing for some strong decisions regarding the Asia Cup and World Cup if the Indian board does not change its position on the Asia Cup.
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(With PTI Inputs)
