The ACC had beforehand introduced a hybrid mannequin for the match, with 4 matches scheduled to be held in Pakistan and 9 in Sri Lanka from August 31 to September 17.This mannequin was proposed to accommodate the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had firmly acknowledged its unwillingness to ship its group to Pakistan because of the strained relations between the 2 nations.
However, the current appointment of Zaka Ashraf as the brand new PCB cricket committee chief has introduced contemporary views to the desk. Although he was not in cost when the preliminary Asia Cup dates have been introduced, Ashraf has made it clear to ACC member board officers, through the current ICC conferences in Durban, that he intends to press for extra matches to be allotted to Pakistan.
Sources throughout the PCB point out that the board’s stance on the ACC assembly will revolve across the unpredictable climate forecasts for the Sri Lankan venues, that are slated to host 9 matches of the Asia Cup. Pakistan will argue that because of the potential for rain disruptions in Sri Lanka, they need to be allowed to host greater than the initially allotted 4 matches.
It is, nevertheless, unlikely that Pakistan will probably be granted extra matches within the match. Nevertheless, the PCB is optimistic and hopeful that their request will probably be thought of favourably.
The ACC board is convening to finalise the match schedule for the Asia Cup, and indications counsel that the extremely anticipated India-Pakistan encounters will probably be held in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, Zaka Ashraf is pushing for a broader distribution of matches, which might enable for the utilisation of extra venues corresponding to Multan, aside from the standard host metropolis of Lahore.
PCB sources reveal that Ashraf and different officers imagine that scheduling the opening match between Pakistan and Nepal in Multan, which is anticipated to attract a bigger crowd in comparison with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, would create a extra vibrant ambiance for the match’s graduation.
The Asia Cup 2023 will function six groups, together with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal. The match will probably be divided into two teams, with two groups from every group advancing to the Super Four stage. The prime two sides from the Super Four stage will then compete within the closing match.
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com