Najam Sethi appreciates the ACC’s decision to use a hybrid format for the 2023 Asia Cup. Matches of a global cricket competition will be played in Pakistan for the first time since 2008. Fifteen years ago, Pakistan hosted a successful ACC Asia Cup 50-over tournament with six teams.
Sethi thanked the ACC in a video statement broadcast by the PCB shortly after the ACC announced the locations and dates for this year’s Asia Cup, and he also claimed to understand the Board of Cricket Control in India’s (BCCI) stance.
“I couldn’t be happier that the ACC Asia Cup 2023 would use our hybrid version. Since the Indian cricket team was unable to come to Pakistan, the PCB will continue to serve as the event host and hold the matches in Pakistan, with Sri Lanka serving as the neutral location.
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“We understand the BCCI’s position, but we know that our ardent fans would have liked to watch the India cricket team play in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years. He further noted that the BCCI, like the PCB, is subject to governmental approval and clearance before crossing international boundaries.
Najam Sethi added that the hybrid model will help keep the ACC together, emphasizing its significance.
I was an outspoken supporter of the hybrid model because I believed it to be the optimal response to the given circumstances. Sethi predicted that the next 20 months would be “interesting and exciting times for the subcontinent’s cricket fans” after the acceptance of the hybrid model ensured that the event would go on as planned, the ACC would remain united, and cricket would continue to thrive and advance.
Some of the best cricketers in the world visited Pakistan in the previous 15 months to take advantage of the country’s world-class facilities and warm hospitality during high-profile bilateral series and two hugely successful HBL Pakistan Super League games organized by the PCB. When the ICC Champions Trophy is held in Pakistan in February/March 2025, “we look forward to providing similar experience to the participating sides in the ACC Asia Cup,” he continued.
Najam Sethi, chairman of the PCB Management Committee, said that he will be talking to Sri Lanka Cricket and the ACC to iron out some final operational and logistical details, and that the PCB would do everything in its power to stage the event without a hitch.
I’m excited to keep talking with the ACC and Sri Lanka Cricket about the finer points of logistics and operations so we can get started on planning for the tournament.
I want to assure the ACC, its commercial partners, participating countries, and cricket fans in Pakistan and Sri Lanka that the PCB, as event hosts, will do everything in their power to ensure the smooth running of this crucial tournament leading up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India this coming October and November.
I value ACC President Jay Shah’s work to fortify the organization so that member states may better defend one another’s interests and open doors for developing Asian countries.
