Najam Sethi, the chairman of the management committee for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claimed that he had presented the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) with a hybrid concept in which Pakistan and India may play their matches at neutral sites.
Speaking to the media in the nation’s capital, Sethi urged a logical way to resolve the situation that affects both the country’s participation in the ODI World Cup to be held in India and the successful hosting of the Asia Cup.
“We have previously presented the ACC members with the concept of a hybrid format wherein India will be permitted to play its matches at a neutral site of their choosing. We would stick to the same routine when it comes to Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup in October 2023 “the PCB chairman stated.
The likelihood of the Pakistani team visiting India for the ODI World Cup, according to Sethi, is slim.
There is a risk that Pakistan’s authorities won’t permit the Green Shirts to cross the border to compete in the World Cup if India declines to come there to compete in the Asia Cup.
“Cricket would suffer the most as a result. Problems that undoubtedly pose a threat to the successful hosting of ICC (International Cricket Council) and ACC events should be resolved in a middle ground fashion. The government would not permit us to travel to India to participate in World Cup matches if India refuses to go to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
He debunked the notion that Pakistan’s absence from the ODI World Cup will result in financial losses for the nation.
“The PSL has given us financial justification and solidified our position. Any financial losses will be shared by both Boards, he said.
Pakistan-Afghanistan series
In response to a query over Pakistan’s loss to the lowly Afghanistan side, Sethi stated that the selectors fielded an A team for the series.
We wanted to give some new players a chance because the media was too interested in giving Pakistan Super League (PSL) players opportunities “said he.
Sethi continued, saying that while two of the young players have secured their spots on the team, the others would need to put in a lot of effort to get the next chance “Now that the team’s formation for the series against New Zealand is known, the selectors are better prepared.
