BCCI does not support the hybrid model in the Asia Cup, but no final decision was taken

BCCI secretary Jay Shah had said that the final decision to host the 2023 Asia Cup would be taken on the sidelines of the IPL final, which was expected to be attended by a host of top dignitaries from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Representatives of the Afghan and Sri Lankan governments attended the meeting, but Bangladesh Cricket Board Chairman Nazmul Hassan could not make it due to personal commitments. No conclusions were reached in the discussions.

The Indian government had invited the leaders of all major cricketing nations to witness the IPL final between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are understood to have backed the Indian government’s stance against a hybrid model of the tournament being played in two countries, as India refuses to go to Pakistan to play matches – and felt the scheduling would put a strain on the players. Broadcasters are also unenthusiastic about hybrid models.

BCCI logo. (FILE)

Despite no decision being made, the Indian government is once again holding talks on a neutral venue and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also invited for further talks. The ACC is chaired by Shah and it is learned that Oman Cricket chairman Pankaj Khimji, who is also the vice-president of the ACC, has been put in charge of resolving the vexed issue. The Indian government does not mind playing in Sri Lanka with the PCB hosting the tournament. However, the BCCI feels that playing cricket in the UAE, a neutral venue favored by the PCB, is not possible in September due to extreme temperatures.

Bilateral cricket has fallen victim to strained political relations between India and Pakistan over the past decade and a half, with the neighboring countries now only playing multi-team events at neutral venues. Citing security concerns, the Indian government has ruled out travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in September, prompting the PCB to offer India the option of playing their matches in the UAE on a hybrid model.

Such an arrangement could have serious ramifications for the Under-50 World Cup to be held in India later this year, as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan.