KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has backed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) current stance over the Asia Cup but has also called for the matter to be dealt with harmony between all parties involved.

The PCB’s interim Management Committee chairman Najam Sethi met the prime minister — who is also the board’s patron — on Wednesday and briefed the premier about the ‘hybrid model’, which the board believes is the solution to the ongoing deadlock between itself and its Indian counterpart over the Asia Cup.

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) having refused to send their cricket team to Pakistan — the rightful hosts of the Asia Cup — the model was proposed to the Asian Cricket Council as a middle-way to keep the tournament alive.

The model would see Pakistan host the matches not involving India before the competition moves to a neutral venue.

While the BCCI, led by secretary Jay Shah — who is also the ACC president — has unofficially rejected the model, the ACC is yet to hold it executive council’s meeting, which would make a final decision over the fate of the Asia Cup with just around two more months to go before it starts.

Reportedly, Shah prefers the tournament to be held entirely out of Pakistan, preferably Sri Lanka. If that happens, the PCB may well boycott the tournament.

During his meeting with Sethi, Dawn understands, the prime minister was happy with how the PCB chief has handled the issue. The premier, however, asked Sethi to avoid confrontation with the BCCI but assured his backing if Sethi is forced to take a strong step.

In case the model is rejected by the ACC, the PCB is expected to not only withdraw the national side from the tournament but there is also a chance that it will boycott the World Cup, which is set to be held in India in October-November.

Sethi, though, was told that the government will guide the PCB over the 50-over showpiece “closer to time”, sources told Dawn.

While the BCCI’s stance is rigid, sources said that there have been “encouraging signs” as other boards “have no problems” playing the Asia Cup in Pakistan“.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Gaza genocide
Updated 06 Dec, 2024

Gaza genocide

Unless Western states cease their unflinching support to Israel, the genocide is unlikely to end.
Agri tax changes
06 Dec, 2024

Agri tax changes

IT is quite surprising if not disconcerting to see the PPP government in Sindh dragging its feet on the changes to...
AJK unrest
06 Dec, 2024

AJK unrest

THERE is trouble brewing in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where a coalition comprising various civil society organisations...
Failed martial law
Updated 05 Dec, 2024

Failed martial law

Appetite for non-democratic systems of governance appears to be shrinking rapidly. Perhaps more countries are now realising the futility of rule by force.
Holding the key
05 Dec, 2024

Holding the key

IN the view of one learned judge of the Supreme Court’s recently formed constitutional bench, parliament holds the...
New low
05 Dec, 2024

New low

WHERE does one go from here? In the latest blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban regime has barred...