The doubtless new chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf has rejected his predecessor Najam Sethi’s much-publicised “hybrid model” for the upcoming Asia Cup, which is slated to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in September.
“The first point is that I had rejected the hybrid model (for Asia Cup) in the past itself – because I do not agree with it. The board of the Asian Cricket Council had decided that it should be held in Pakistan, then we should host it,” Ashraf mentioned throughout a press convention within the Pakistan capital on Wednesday.
Ashraf’s feedback might additionally put Pakistan’s World Cup participation in a limbo and it’s anticipated that the BCCI will even play hardball and there wouldn’t be any center floor in the event that they back-track from what was agreed upon by members of Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
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With the ACC government physique approving the hybrid mannequin, if Ashraf doesn’t change his stand, the Asia Cup could possibly be held with out Pakistan as a five-nation match.
“The Asia Cup model has been accepted by ACC and there would be no change. Ashraf is free to say whatever he wants,” an ACC board member advised PTI.
Ashraf is without doubt one of the two nominees for the PCB chairman’s submit handpicked by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who’s the patron-in-chief of the board and the person who has the ultimate say in appointment. As of now, Ashraf’s appointment is only a formality.
The hybrid mannequin was accepted by the ACC, headed by BCCI boss Jay Shah, after India made it clear that it gained’t journey to Pakistan as a result of prevailing geo-political state of affairs.
It was determined that 4 video games shall be held in Pakistan with the host nation taking part in their group league match towards Nepal and three different video games involving Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan would even be scheduled in Lahore.
However, issues modified dramatically within the final 48 hours after Sethi introduced on twitter that he’s quitting.
“I don’t want to be a bone of contention between Asif Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif. Such instability and uncertainty is not good for PCB. Under the circumstances I am not a candidate for Chairmanship of PCB. Good luck to all stakeholders,” Sethi had tweeted.
Ashraf, a banker by career, has earlier been the PCB chairman.
During his media interplay, Ashraf mentioned that he doesn’t like the concept of inconsequential video games being held of their nation when they have internet hosting rights.
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“All the main matches are happening outside (of Pakistan). (Teams like) Nepal and Bhutan are going to play in Pakistan – which is not fair for Pakistan. I do not know what the board has decided previously, I do not have the access to the information.
“I will check, whatever is doable in the shortest possible time, will do that for the betterment of Pakistan,” he mentioned.
Ashraf additionally mentioned that the World Cup difficulty is but to be sorted which might imply that the discharge of schedule shall be delayed additional.
“There are challenges lined up ahead for Pakistan, there are many pending issues, the Asia Cup is there, then the World Cup, the team’s preparations, a lot of issues. I do not want to speak against anyone because I have not (yet) taken over,” Ashraf mentioned whereas not eager to say something about Sethi.
“Once I take over, will see what the scenario is. I always take media along, I do not hide anything. We have to work for the betterment of Pakistan, we have a clear conscious.” It is known that Pakistan’s calls for to play World Cup matches at a impartial venue won’t be accepted by both the BCCI or the ICC at any price, and now Ashraf’s robust stance on Asia Cup might spoil relations additional.
It could also be famous that the final time India and Pakistan have been engaged in a bilateral sequence in 2012, Ashraf was the PCB chairman.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com