Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has announced they are interested in hosting the Asia Cup 2023 later this year, adding a new wrinkle to the story. It is a setback for Pakistan, which has been ready for some time to host the multi-team tournament in a hybrid format. On the sidelines of the washed-out IPL final day on Sunday, where all ACC members met, barring PCB representatives, the BCCI denied the latest hybrid model and said, it’s either Colombo or nothing.
If the Asian Cricket Council chooses to award the title to the island nation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced it is ready to host the event. The claim is made just days before the ACC summit, where a decision about the six-nation continental championship is anticipated.
In a pinch, the SLC is ready to host the Asia Cup. The informal discussions over the disputed event resulted in an agreement that there should only be one location for the event.
BCCI’s objections to the hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023 continue
The BCCI continues to reject the hybrid model put out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in which matches are held in both Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
A BCCI source responded to the talks by saying, “Colombo or nothing,” and cited logistical difficulties as the cause of its objection. The SLC source also stated, “We will use the BCCI. In the upcoming days, the ACC is anticipated to hold a formal meeting.
The leaders of the SLC, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and Bangladesh Cricket Board are in India for the IPL final. It is clearly obvious that the PCB, despite being the designated host, is having trouble garnering support for its proposal and is beginning to feel very alone in the ACC.
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice and Chairman Greg Barclay will make a two-day trip to Lahore in the meanwhile. They will meet with PCB representatives during the tour, and it is expected that they will chat about the locations for the ODI World Cup, whose schedule will be released in the coming days.
The BCCI is unwilling to change the location of the important match against India, despite the PCB’s recent statements to the contrary. Since Ray Mali’s trip there in 2008, Barclay will be the first ICC chairman to visit Pakistan.
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