PCB not to accept any other Asia Cup 2023 schedule than its proposed hybrid model: Najam Sethi

Najam Sethi-led PCB will bear any financial losses if they have to boycott Asia Cup 2023.

Najam Sethi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief has once again repeated that the board will stand firm on its stance of having the Men in Green Asia Cup 2023 matches in Pakistan, while India plays its games at a neutral venue.

He also added that the PCB is ready to bear the loss of revenue if the Asian Cricket Council doesn’t accept their proposed hybrid model. Sethi said that Pakistan were willing to bear the loss of revenue - around USD 3 million as it was “a matter of principle" as far as the hosting rights of the Asia Cup are concerned.

The PCB has been under pressure since BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced that India won’t travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. Shah, who is also the president of ACC, stated last year that the tournament will be hosted at a neutral venue.

We will not accept any other schedule and neither play unless it’s the hybrid model we proposed: Najam Sethi

The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in September this year but the has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding the venue of the tournament as India has made it clear it can’t play in Pakistan. Sethi had proposed the hybrid model of hosting Asia Cup in Pakistan and at a neutral venue where India will play its matches at a neutral venue while the other matches will be hosted in Pakistan.

“We Have Made It Very Clear That Unless The Asia Cup Is Held On A Hybrid Model Like We Have Proposed, That Is India Playing Its Matches At An Offshore Venue And Pakistan Hosting The Remaining Games At Home We Will Not Accept Any Other Schedule And Neither Play," he was quoted by PTI.

“We Will Not Lose Our Hosting Rights. Security Is No Excuse For Them Now And We Have Told Them If Their Government Is Not Giving Them Clearance To Play In Pakistan Show Us Some Written Proof Of This.

When All Other Teams Including Australia, England, New Zealand Are Playing In Pakistan Without Any Issues There Should Be No Security Concerns For India To Tour Pakistan,” he added.

PCB chairman Najam said 80 percent of the revenues earned by the Asian Cricket Council came from Pakistan and India matches. He was also asked if ACC accepts the hybrid model for Asia Cup, will it affect the ODI World Cup as well which is to be hosted in India later this year.

Sethi said relations with ICC were different and in such a scenario the relations could be affected negatively.