Asia Cup 2023 will be shifted to Sri Lanka or Dubai, reckons Mohammad Asif

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Asif weighed in on the hybrid model proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, stating that India are unlikely to accept it. 

Pakistan were awarded the rights to host the continental championship, however, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah had said that the Indian team will not travel to the neighbouring country due to security concerns. Pakistan responded stating that they will participate in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India this year only if they travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. 

After multiple rounds of talking and proposals, including Pakistan's suggestion to play India games at a different venue while conducting the remaining games in their country, no conclusion has been arrived at as yet, with BCB and SLC objecting the PCB's suggestion.

Meanwhile, Asif believes the BCCI will reject the hybrid model because of the current political situation. The 40-year-old added that any team will be hesitant of visiting, and he believes the tournament will be moved to Sri Lanka or Dubai.

Any team will be a little apprehensive of coming to Pakistan: Mohammad Asif

“I don’t think it will happen. Because the political situation is not great. Any team will be a little apprehensive of coming. So, I think the Asia Cup will be shifted to Sri Lanka or Dubai,” Asif said in Tahir ‘The 12th Man’ YouTube channel.

A final decision on the hosting of the tournament was to be made on the sidelines of the IPL final, which was attended by a number of top Asian Cricket Council (ACC) leaders, however, no conclusion has been reached at so far. Notably, representatives from the Afghanistan and Sri Lankan boards were present, but Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan did not attend the meeting. 

The ACC is expected to have another discussion about conducting the tournament at a neutral venue, with PCB set to be invited as well. It has been learned that the ACC president Shah, the Oman Cricket chairman, and ACC vice-president Pankaj Khimji have been tasked with settling the issue.