The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is preparing for an Asia Cup without Pakistan, a move which could have serious ramifications on Babar Azam’s team’s participation in the World Cup in India in October-November.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the chairman of the ACC, has made it clear to the other countries that they would not follow the ‘hybrid model’ as suggested by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi. During his recent informal deliberations with the heads of member nations in Ahmedabad, Shah said that the tournament should be held at only one venue — Sri Lanka.
The PCB’s recommendation of a ‘hybrid model’ wherein 4/5 matches would be held in Pakistan while the rest, including all India matches, take place in Dubai has been rejected. India have cited the excessive heat in the UAE in September as the reason for their refusal.
Sources told The Telegraph that Pakistan will be categorically told at the next executive board meeting of the ACC that all other participating nations have agreed to play in Sri Lanka. PCB, the designated hosts for this edition, is not finding any takers for its proposal and has to abide by playing in Sri Lanka or pull out.
India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be the four teams in the fray if Pakistan do not participate. Whether a fifth team will be included is yet to be decided.
India’s refusal to tour Pakistan and also not abiding by the ‘hybrid model’ could prompt Pakistan to consider extreme measures. International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice are currently in Lahore seeking an assurance from Pakistan to participate in the World Cup.
The PCB is learnt to have told the ICC bosses that its participation in the World Cup depends on government clearance. Barclay and Allardice have had several rounds of meetings with the PCB officials on Monday and Tuesday.
“If the government says that we can play in India for the World Cup despite India not touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup then we will be ready to so,” Sethi told The Telegraph earlier this month.
The BCCI will also not agree if Pakistan wish to play their Cup matches at a neutral venue. “Play in India or nothing,” has been the message that has been sent out to the PCB and ICC. The fixtures for the World Cup are expected to be released during the World Test Championship final in London next week.
The PCB will issue a media release on the ICC’s visit on Thursday.