Finally some good development for cricket fans as the Board of Control for Cricket in India has conditionally agreed to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s hybrid model for the Asia Cup.
The model will see India playing their matches in neutral venues, whereas Pakistan will play their games in their home grounds.
However, the BCCI has asked for written assurance from the PCB for their participation in the ICC ODI World Cup in India.
If all things go as planned, then the proposal would be accepted at BCCI’s Special General Meeting in Ahmedabad on 27th May, according to The Indian Express.
Other four countries – Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka – have already given a green signal to the proposal and there is no point in BCCI opposing it now.
Pakistan have tabled two options in the hybrid model. First, it was proposed earlier that India will play their matches at a neutral venue, while the rest of the tournament would take place in Pakistan.
The other option is that the 50-over tournament will be played in two phases. First phase: all teams except India will have to play at least one match in Pakistan. In the second phase: the remaining part of the tournament is to be played in UAE with India participating there.
Moreover, the PCB has named Dubai as a preferred neutral venue in a hybrid model. If Dubai hosts the second phase of the Asia Cup, the board will get its share in gate money as well. However, PCB will have to bear the loss if the neutral venue is other than the UAE.
As things stand, many teams are opposing UAE for the heat and Sri Lanka could end up hosting remaining matches. The neutral venue will also host the final, even if India fail to qualify.
