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| Only four matches in Asia Cup in Pakistan: What kind of hybrid model is this which does not benefit the host country |
The Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan or under a hybrid model some matches will be played in Pakistan and some outside it, Pakistan will boycott the tournament or India and many such rumors are circulating in the Pakistani and Indian media and amid the political tension between Pakistan and India. A 'cricket ki haar' was a possibility.
However, the final announcement of the Asian Cricket Council last day revealed that the Asia Cup will now be played between August 31 and September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka under the hybrid model.
According to the details, India will play all its matches in Sri Lanka while at least four matches will be played in Pakistan. India and Nepal will be in Pakistan's group while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh will be in the second group.
The detailed schedule of the Asia Cup has not been announced yet.
In this regard, PCB Chairman Najam Sethi has said that this was our promise and today we have fulfilled our promise.
"Remember that this hybrid model is a new development and it could open more doors."
He further said that the last time the tournament was held between different countries was in 2008. Then in 2016, PCB brought PSL and one by one every country and different players kept coming.
"How many rumors have been spread about this tournament that it will not be held in Pakistan, PCB has failed in its objectives but let's wait and see."
It should be noted that India has not played a series in Pakistan since 2008 and India's position in this regard has been clear that it will not visit Pakistan.
Since the official return of cricket in Pakistan, only India and Afghanistan have not toured Pakistan.
Pakistan has got the right to host the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the details of the Asia Cup were also important as it could be the basis of decisions regarding the Champions Trophy going forward.
On the one hand, Pakistan is calling it a victory for its position, on the other hand, cricket fans and analysts in Pakistan are seeing the other side of it.
Journalist and analyst Umar Farooq Kelson tweeted that the PCB is calling the decision a victory for Pakistan's position, which can be debated.
He said that four matches will be played in Pakistan which is welcome but India will not come to Pakistan which is bad news and also that more neutral matches are being played in Sri Lanka. '
PCB's position was that this model will be adopted for the World Cup, but Pakistan is also going to India for the World Cup.
One user, Abu Tamim, wrote, "I consider this a win for PCB in the larger context as it will make hybrid tournaments a tradition." PCB may have got some assurance from India regarding Champions Trophy 2025.
Keep in mind that in such tournaments there are logistical issues to consider as well as broadcasting and gate money. It is still not clear what has been discussed by the PCB with the Sri Lankan Cricket Board regarding the matches to be held in Sri Lanka.
The Asia Cup is a tournament played every two years for the past three decades, which has been facing difficulties most of the time due to the relationship between Pakistan and India.
However, the importance of matches between Pakistan and India has increased so much and it has been the most watched match in ICC tournaments for the past several years. This is the reason why Pakistan and India are usually in the same group in such tournaments and like last time, the two teams could possibly meet each other three times this time.
Speaking about this, Iman Arbab, the host of the podcast Double Wicket Maiden, tweeted that 'Imagine going to Pakistan to watch a match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and then the next day your own team is playing and they tell you. I had to sit at home and watch.'
This is not a good development, it is not a victory (of PCB) and it is not a fair deal. What kind of hybrid model is this, from which the host country is not benefiting.
A user wrote that if the hybrid model is applied in the Asia Cup, it should be applied in the World Cup as well.
Similarly, some users fear that this could be seen as a formula for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
However, the difference in this case would be that the Champions Trophy is an ICC tournament and it may be difficult to opt out of such tournaments or adopt a hybrid model.
Whether this hybrid model is a win or a loss for Pakistan can only be definitively said in the coming years.