Decision on Asia Cup venue after IPL final: Jay Shah

It has been learnt from ACC sources that Sethi's proposed hybrid model looks like a feasible solution although ACC had made no formal statements

New Delhi: A decision on Asia Cup’s fate will be taken on the sidelines of the IPL final, which will be attended by a host of top Asian Cricket Council (ACC) dignitaries, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Thursday.

Pakistan have the hosting rights for this year’s Asia Cup but with BCCI deciding against sending its team to the neighbouring country without government permission, PCB chairman Najam Sethi had proposed a ‘hybrid model’ where they will organise at least four games on home soil and India will play their matches at a neutral venue.

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It couldn’t be confirmed whether Sethi has been formally invited for the IPL final. “As of now, the decision with regards to hosting of Asia Cup hasn’t yet been finalised. We are busy with IPL but the top dignitaries of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Bangladesh and Afghanistan Cricket Board are coming to watch the IPL final. We will have a discussion and take a final decision in due course,” Jay Shah said.

It has been learnt from ACC sources that Sethi’s proposed hybrid model looks like a feasible solution although ACC had made no formal statements. According to the model, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan play four preliminary matches in Pakistan and India would play all their games at neutral venues. The two India-Pakistan games will also be held in Sri Lanka although the PCB wants them in Dubai.

The weather in UAE in September is not at all conducive for 50-over games although to make the ‘hybrid model’ work logistically, UAE is a far better option for the Asian Cricket Council. “ACC head Jay Shah will summon an executive body meeting where a formal announcement will take place. The PCB doesn’t mind playing India at a neutral venue.

“PCB would prefer Dubai because it would lead to more gate receipts but it is open to playing in another country (read Sri Lanka) provided the ACC matches the gate receipts amount ($5 million) that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) received in 2022 from the Indo-Pak games in Dubai,” an ACC source privy to development said on conditions of anonymity.

The six teams in the Asia Cup are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal. One group will have India, Pakistan and Nepal while the other group will comprise Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.