Zaka Ashraf, the soon-to-be chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), did a complete U-turn on the subject of 'hybrid model' for the Asia Cup after having rejected the concept less than 24 hours ago. (More Cricket News)
Asia Cup 2023, which will now be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will feature two India-Pakistan matches, both played in the island nation.
Najam Sethi, Ashraf's predecessor, had proposed the hybrid model after Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah made his reservations clear about the Indian team travelling to Pakistan.
After the release of the revised schedule, Ashraf said that he did not like that only the inconsequential matches were to be held in Pakistan and that they should be hosting important games since his country has the hosting rights. "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," Ashraf had said.
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If reports are to be believed, Ashraf was unaware of Sethi being one of the signatories to the hybrid model, and since it was passed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the decision cannot be reversed.
Ashraf also admitted that he was not versed with the details in depth, resulting in his U-turn.
Had the PCB created a roadblock, the board could have faced serious action.
