Pakistan & Sri Lanka To Co-Host Asia Cup With ACC Likely To Approve PCB's Hybrid Model
India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match likely to be held in Sri Lanka [Source: Twitter]
As per emerging reports, the proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup, presented by the Pakistan Cricket Board, is expected to receive approval from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Sri Lanka is the likely choice as the neutral venue for India's matches. The tournament is scheduled to be held from September 1-17, and the games in Pakistan are expected to take place in Lahore. An official announcement regarding the tournament is anticipated after the weekend.
This approval marks a significant breakthrough in a longstanding deadlock that had implications for ICC events, notably the upcoming World Cup in India and the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. A resolution here could potentially ease Pakistan's travel to India for the World Cup.
The hybrid model was proposed as a solution due to the reluctance of India and Pakistan to tour each other's countries. India's refusal to visit Pakistan prompted Pakistan's adoption of this model to retain hosting rights.
Initially, Pakistan suggested the UAE as a second venue due to the lucrative gate receipts expected during Pakistan-India matches. However, Bangladesh raised concerns about extreme weather conditions in the Middle East during September.
The PCB presented the hybrid model to Pankaj Khimji, head of Oman Cricket and ACC's vice-president, in a meeting held in Dubai. It was the proposed solution considering India's non-participation in Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
The political complexities involved in this decision have made the path to a resolution lengthy and challenging. As the host, the PCB was keen to ensure that part of the tournament was played in Pakistan. The UAE was considered a neutral venue, while Sri Lanka expressed interest in hosting the tournament. Initially, the BCB and SLC had opposed the hybrid model.
In the six-nation Asia Cup, India, Pakistan, and Nepal are placed together in one group, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan form the other group. The multi-nation tournament will be played in the 50-over format as preparation for the World Cup, featuring a total of 13 matches over 13 days.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
