Some reports have come out stating that PCB wants to arrange some more matches in Pakistan. PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf wants more Asia Cup matches in Pakistan so they can use other venues including Multan instead of a single venue in Lahore. The official confirmation has yet to be made which is pushing the schedule to further delay.
The PCB is trying to get some more matches on their home ground in Asia Cup 2023. They will discuss the scenario in the Asian Cricket Council board meeting which is scheduled on Sunday later this week in Dubai. After Accepting the hybrid model by all the stakeholders including BCCI and PCB, ACC announced last month that the Tournament will be played in a hybrid model where 4 matches will be played in Pakistan and the rest of the tournament’s matches will be held in Sri Lanka from August 31 to September 17. The hybrid model was proposed as BCCI had cleared its intention of not sending the Indian Team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup due to the tense relationship between the two countries.
However, the new Pakistan Cricket Board committee chief Zaka Ashraf, who was not in charge when the dates for Asia Cup were announced. He has made his intentions clear about the schedule and matches to the ACC official board members who were present in Durban for the ICC meetings earlier this week.
Though the official schedule of the tournament is yet to be made public and Pakistan getting more matches is very unlikely to happen.
“Pakistan will take the stance at the ACC meeting that with a rainy weather forecast for venues in Sri Lanka which is to host nine games of the Asia Cup, Pakistan should be allowed to host more than four games at home,” said a PCB source.
The ACC is meeting to finalize the schedule of the tournament. The hybrid model was proposed by Najam Sethi, the former head of PCB and it was officially accepted by the ACC members including India.
The sources state that PCB chief Zaka Ashraf wants more matches in Pakistan to use the other grounds including Multan as well apart from just one ground in Lahore.
Pakistan Officials are hopeful of getting more matches in the Asia Cup which is very unlikely to happen. Also, they believe that getting more matches in Pakistan and utilising other grounds like Multan would benefit them in creating a more packed atmosphere for the opening match.
“The authorities in charge have expressed their desire to commence the event with a match between Pakistan and Nepal in Multan where they expect a bigger crowd compared to Lahore,” he added.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal will take part in the continental event.
The 2023 edition will be played in an ODI format and will feature two groups, with two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Four stage. The top two sides from the Super Four stage will then face off in the final.
