Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi has warned India against the exclusion of the World Cup 2023 in response to the rival country’s tough stand on the hybrid model of Asia Cup 2023.
He said that Pakistan can also blame the New Delhi government regarding security concerns on the home side in India.
“Our government can also accuse India of fueling terrorism. Both countries have fought against terrorism. After the attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, a lot has changed in Pakistan,” he reiterated. .
However, he clarified that if Pakistan accepts the hybrid model for this season of the Asia Cup, then the ICC will go to India to play the World Cup.
While giving an interview to an Indian media outlet, Najam Sethi said that the political situation in Pakistan will be fine by September (Asia Cup window).
“There were riots in Delhi too and it can happen anywhere. It doesn’t mean the city has become unsafe. While Imran Khan [former prime minister] was on the streets protesting, the New Zealand team was playing in Pakistan. “Has been hosting international cricket for the last four years. There is no problem,” he added.
Sethi was the first to influence the revival of international cricket in Pakistan in 2015. In his presence, Zimbabwe toured Lahore in 2015 followed by the star-studded Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore in 2017 when he was PCB chairman. .
Since then, international stars and teams have often visited Pakistan for PSL and bilateral series. Recently, Pakistan hosted top cricket teams like Australia, England and New Zealand.
Sethi ensured that Pakistan would play the ICC World Cup in India if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) accepted the hybrid model for the Asia Cup.
The PCB boss said that if our Asia Cup hybrid model is accepted, we are ready to play the WC in India.
Sethi concluded, “I think the decision should be taken as soon as possible now. I think we have reached a lot of compromises, the hybrid model is the best solution. If the hybrid model is accepted, we are mutually neutral.” will decide accordingly.”
As reported by JEE News citing sources, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is likely to convene a meeting this week on PCB’s proposed hybrid model for hosting the Asian event. will be discussed.
PCB offers two options in the hybrid model. In the first option, India will play its matches at a neutral venue while all other matches will be played in Pakistan. In another option, the four group stage matches in the first stage will be played in Pakistan, while the Indian team’s matches in the second stage and then the next stage matches, including the final, will be played at a neutral venue.
