LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday clarified the position taken by its Chairman Management Committee Najam Sethi regarding the holding of Asia Cup 2023 at a “neutral” venue instead of in the host country Pakistan.
Referring to Sethi’s media talk in Rawalpindi/Islamabad on Thursday, the board said the PCB chief briefed the reporters on the hybrid model he had presented to the ACC officials for the ACC Asia Cup to end the impasse that had been created following the BCCI’s decision not to send its team to Pakistan.
“This proposal – to play India’s matches at a neutral venue and the rest in Pakistan – is under discussions within the ACC.” said Sethi.
“At no stage during Thursday’s media interaction, did I give any reference to the ICC or make any remarks on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is scheduled in October. This matter has not been mooted or discussed at any ICC forum so far.” he maintained
Moreover, the PCB expressed its disappointment over misquoting, misinterpreting and misrepresenting Sethi’s comments by a leading English-language newspaper.
“(It) gave the impression that PCB’s hybrid model was presented and discussed at the ICC, which is factually incorrect. At this stage, the PCB is only in discussions with the ACC over the hosting of the ACC Asia Cup and no discussions regarding the World Cup have taken place with the ICC.” said the PCB statement.
“This is not to say that the hybrid model will not be advocated at the proper ICC forum at the right time.” it concluded
