ISLAMABAD: The foreign office said on Friday Pakistan was “excited” to host and play in the ongoing six-nation Asia Cup despite Pakistan no longer being the sole host of the series.
Pakistan was supposed to single-handedly host the Asia Cup 2023, but India refused to travel to Pakistan because of soured political relations between the neighbors who only play against each other in multi-team tournaments.
Pakistan threatened to boycott the ODI World Cup in India if it was made to stage the Asia Cup entirely in another country. After months of wrangling, the Pakistan Cricket Board settled for a hybrid model with the Asia Cricket Council, according to which four of 13 matches would be held in Pakistan, while the rest are being hosted by Sri Lanka.
The series started on Aug. 30 with an opener between Pakistan and Nepal in Multan which the green shirts won by a staggering 238 runs.
When questioned about Pakistan not hosting all the matches of the tournament, foreign office spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the decision to adopt the hybrid model was made by the Pakistan Cricket Board in collaboration with the Asia Cricket Council.
“With regard to the Asia Cup, I can say that we have one of our best cricketing teams, and like all Pakistanis, we are excited to play in the Asia Cup and host the Asia Cup,” Baloch told reporters at a press briefing.
“As far as the decision of the hybrid model [is concerned], for that, I would like you to refer to the PCB because that was something that they decided in consultation with the Asia Cricket Council.”
Pakistan will fly to Sri Lanka to play India in Pallekele tomorrow, Saturday, before playing a Super Four match in Lahore and then returning to Sri Lanka for the remaining matches.
India will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, where nine matches — including the September 17 final — will be staged.
The Asia Cup is a final chance for teams from the region to size each other up before the World Cup in India starting in October.
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Pakistan ‘excited’ to host Asia Cup matches despite hybrid model — foreign office
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Pakistan ‘excited’ to host Asia Cup matches despite hybrid model — foreign office
- India’s refusal to visit Pakistan led to adoption of hybrid model with just four matches hosted by Pakistan
- Remaining nine games, including highly anticipated Pakistan versus India clashes, will take place in Sri Lanka
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