The Pakistan Cricket Board has started preparation for plan B as cancelation looms on Asia Cup.
So far, India have refused to travel to Pakistan for the 50-over tournament scheduled to be played in September this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India wants the Asia Cup to be played at a neutral venue.
Despite pressure from the BCCI, the PCB is not willing to oblige the proposal tabled by India.
“There are only two options, either play in Pakistan or accept the hybrid model,” a PCB official told GeoSuper. “Hosting the entire tournament outside Pakistan will waste all the efforts of bringing international cricket to the country. It will also affect the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in 2025.”
If the Asia Cup gets canceled or India set-up a five-nation tournament – involving all Asia Cup teams except Pakistan, then Pakistan will play bilateral or triangular series in a bid to prepare for the ICC World Cup in India.
For the aforementioned tri-nation tournament or bilateral series, PCB has started contacting different boards including South Africa, Zimbabwe, West Indies, Ireland and West Indies.
As per the Future Tour Programme, South Africa and Zimbabwe are the two teams who will be free in the Asia Cup window in September this year.
South Africa will host Australia from August 30 to September 17 for three T20Is and five ODIs. After that, the Protease would be free till the World Cup in India.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have no commitments in September this year.
Moreover, Australia, New Zealand, and England have packed schedules during the Asia Cup window.
