Cricket

Najam Sethi to attend ACC meeting on February 4 in Bahrain

January 23, 2023
By Web Desk
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Najam Sethi (L) and Jay Shah (R) - PCB/BCCI

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s management committee chairman Najam Sethi has announced that he will go to meet Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials on February 4 in Bahrain.

Speaking in a press conference in Lahore on Monday, Sethi said he will attend ACC's next meeting in Bahrain and will put forward Pakistan's stance related to hosting Asia Cup later this year.

"Finally, we have a date now to meet ACC officials. I will attend ACC's meeting on February 4 in Bahrain. I am not sure about our stance for now, I will decide it in the meeting keeping an eye on the situation," he said.

Sethi was expected to meet ACC officials on his recent visit to Dubai for attending India-backed International League T20 (ILT20)'s opening ceremony that took place on January 13. Reportedly, Sethi didn't get a chance to meet ACC officials on the sidelines.

Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had stated that Pakistan won't go to India if they pull out from Asia Cup in Pakistan. The statement came after ACC president (also BCCI's general secretary) Jay Shah claimed last year that India have already decided to not participate in the Asian event in Pakistan.

Shah's statement wasn't confirmed by BCCI or ACC officially.

Pakistan are scheduled to host Asia Cup for the first time after almost 14 years. The event will be based on 50-overs format keeping in mind ICC World Cup 2023 which is scheduled in India later this year.

Mickey Arthur's return

Najam Sethi, during the same press conference, revealed that former national head coach Mickey Arthur's return is still expected.

Sethi, who revealed some important decisions, said he is in contact with the former coach personally.

"Mickey Arthur's chapter is not closed as of yet," shared Sethi. "I am in contact with him personally. His return is still on cards," the chairman management committee added.

Sethi confirmed that his talks with the South Africa-hailed coach are positive till now. He is looking forward to welcoming him again in the head coach position.

"If Arthur comes in, we will give him free hand to make his team like we did previously," he said.

It must be noted here that Arthur served as Pakistan team coach previously from 2016 to 2019. Under his coaching, Pakistan won its first-ever Champions Trophy title in 2017. Pakistan also won record 11 consecutive T20I series.

On the other hand, Sethi also confirmed that former coach Mark Coles will come back as women's team head coach in June this year.