ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi on Friday said he had floated the idea of a hybrid model to the Asian Cricket Council where Pakistan and India would be able to play matches at neutral venues.
Talking to the media persons here in Islamabad, he called for a rational approach to resolve the looming crisis that risks the successful hosting of the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup scheduled in India.
He said that PCB has already floated the idea of a hybrid model to the ACC members whereby India should be allowed to play its matches at a neutral venue of its choice. When it comes to Pakistan’s participation in the October 2023 ODI World Cup will follow the same pattern.
He said that the Pakistan team’s chances of visiting India for the ODI World Cup are slim.
Sethi said that if India refuses to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, then there are chances that the Pakistan government will not allow its team to go to India for their World Cup participation.
He further said that it would ultimately suffer the cricket. There should be a middle way to solve issues that surely threaten the smooth hosting of International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council events.
He rejected the impression that Pakistan will suffer financial losses due to its non-participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup.
The chairman said that the Pakistan Super League had given us financial imputes and has made us stand sound. If there are any losses, those will be for both countries.
Replying to a question about Pakistan’s recent T20I series defeat against the low-ranked Afghanistan team, he said selectors fielded an A team for the series.
Young players’ idea against Afghanistan
Sethi said that selectors wanted to try some young players as the media was too interested in giving chances to the PSL performers.
