Asia Cup 2023: PCB chief Zaka Ashraf bats for hosting more matches ahead of schedule announcement

The controversy around the hosting of Asia Cup 2023 doesn’t seem to stop as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have come forward with a new set of demands just one month ahead of the tournament. According to reports, PCB is likely to ask for an opportunity to host more matches in the tournament during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) board meeting in Dubai on Sunday, July 16.

Earlier in June, the ACC announced that the Asia Cup will take place in a hybrid model following India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan- the official host nation of the tournament- due to political reasons. The tournament beginning from August 31 is set to be hosted jointly by Pakistan and Sri Lanka with the former hosting four games while the latter hosting nine.

However, in a new development, PCB cricket committee chief Zaka Ashraf has conveyed Pakistan’s demands to the ACC member board officials who were present in Durban for the ICC meetings earlier this week.

"Pakistan will take the stance at the ACC meeting that with a rainy weather forecast for venues in Sri Lanka which is to host nine games of the Asia Cup, Pakistan should be allowed to host more than four games at home," a PCB source was quoted as saying by The Telegraph India.

The hybrid model was proposed by Najam Sethi, the chairman of the dissolved cricket management committee of the PCB, and was accepted by all the ACC members including India.

IND vs PAK matches to be held in Dambulla: Reports

Notably, the complete schedule for the Asia Cup is yet to be finalized and it is expected to be released following the ACC meeting. The source further revealed that the two India-Pakistan matches are likely to be held in Dambulla. Furthermore, PCB wants to kick off the tournament in Multan Stadium instead of Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, reasoning it will create a more packed atmosphere for the opening match due to its small size.

Meanwhile, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal will take part in the continental event scheduled to take place in the ODI format. The teams have been divided into two groups with two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Four stage. The top two sides from the Super Four stage will then lock horns in the final.