'Asia Cup without Pakistan is like pizza without the topping' - Aakash Chopra on use of hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has opened up about his take on the 2023 Asia Cup being played in a hybrid format. The upcoming edition of the continental championship was in jeopardy due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan along with the latter's refusal to allow the event to be conducted in another nation. However, all countries have agreed to conduct the event in a hybrid model, with four games scheduled to be contested in Pakistan and the remaining matches in Sri Lanka.

Chopra reckoned that Pakistan playing in the Asia Cup despite most of the games being contested in the island nation is an expected development. Besides, the commentator was sure that Pakistan will compete in the upcoming Cricket World Cup, as they can't just boycott the ICC mega-events. 

"I am not a wee bit surprised because India had refused to go and they are not going. Pakistan will also come to play the World Cup, there is no doubt about that because you cannot do like that in ICC events that you won't play," Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

The former India opener went on to say that a team can say that they will not take part in the Asia Cup and others can participate in the competition without them. The Asia Cup without Pakistan is like Pizza without the topping, according to the 45-year-old. He added that Pakistan should compete in the continental event otherwise it won't be enjoyable. 

"You can flex your muscles slightly in the Asia Cup, you can say that you won't play and that other teams can play without you if they want. Asia Cup without Pakistan is like pizza without the topping. It won't be enjoyable. So you want Pakistan to be there in the Asia Cup," he added.

Now it has been finalized that you will once again see India-Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup: Chopra

Aakash Chopra further stated that It was always confirmed that India will not go to Pakistan while Pakistan will come to India. The 45-year-old hopes that the long-standing debate regarding the venue of the continental tournament has been settled for good. He added that everyone can witness India and Pakistan locking horns once again in the Asia Cup, and was delighted about Nepal qualifying for the tournament. 
 
"It was always confirmed that India won't go to Pakistan, and it was always confirmed that Pakistan will come to India. Posturing is over. I hope this ends the debate because the talks were continuing and nothing was getting finalized. Now it has been finalized that you will once again see India-Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup. One more good thing this time is Nepal, they are the rising story, they will be a part of India's group," Chopra concluded.