Asia Cup: No vote of confidence to Sri Lanka, PCB tells their preferred neutral venue

The Asian event is scheduled to take place in September this year

May 17, 2023
Pakistani captain Babar Azam (L) and Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka (L) with Asia Cup trophy - ACC

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not in favour of Sri Lanka hosting Asia Cup 2023 as a neutral venue in case of the hybrid model's acceptance. 

Sources told Geo News that PCB has named Dubai as a preferred neutral venue in a hybrid model to host Asia Cup in September this year. If Dubai hosts the second phase of the Asia Cup, according to the second hybrid model, PCB will get its share in gate money. However, PCB will have to bear the loss if the neutral venue is other than the UAE. 

It must be noted here that PCB has offered two options in the hybrid model. In first option, India will play their matches at a neutral venue whereas all other matches will be played in Pakistan. In another option, four matches of the group stage in the first phase will take place in Pakistan whereas second phase, in which matches of Indian team followed by the next stage matches including the final, will be played at a neutral venue.

PCB, according to sources, will be agreed to host the second phase of the Asian event at any venue if the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) bears the loss. 

After Bangladesh and Sri Lanka agreed on second hybrid model via email, as per sources, PCB is confident of a final decision by ACC very soon. Second option of the hybrid model is most likely to be accepted. 

Overall, Pakistan will host four matches before the league moves to a neutral venue which will be decided mutually. 

Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.

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