PCB declines to play ODIs in Sri Lanka after that country’s bid to host a major event for the 2023 Asia Cup
Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) latest bid to host the whole Asia Cup in 2023 has angered Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is unhappy with Sri Lanka Cricket. Sri Lanka Cricket offered to host the full tournament since the participating nations have not yet agreed to Pakistan’s proposed “hybrid model” for hosting the event.
The 50-over Asia Cup was given to Pakistan in 2023, however the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to hold any matches there because of security concerns. The Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) president and BCCI secretary Jay Shah has been adamant about holding the event in a neutral location and is actively seeking support from other countries.
The head of the PCB, Najam Sethi, proposed a hybrid arrangement in which Pakistan would host all other matches and India would play its matches in the UAE or Sri Lanka. However, the teams have not yet agreed to Sethi’s strategy since PCB has been unable to persuade its rivals to take on BCCI and ACC. The PCB has reportedly rejected to play the bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka in July due to its displeasure with the island nation’s intervention.
According to a PCB source reported by PTI, “an example of the increasingly tense relations between the two boards emerged after the PCB rejected a proposal by the Lankans to play a few One-Day International matches next month in Sri Lanka.”
The Sri Lankan board coming in to offer to host the Asia Cup in September when it is Pakistan’s time to host the regional tournament at home is a clear indicator that the PCB is not pleased.
As part of the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Pakistan is set to play two Test matches in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Cricket has also suggested Pakistan play a few ODIs in order to give them more time to prepare for the ICC ODI World Cup in India in 2023. Pakistan first expressed interest after receiving the offer from SLC, but they later declined it.
