Reports: PCB demand compensation from ACC over losing money due to poor turnout in Sri Lanka leg of Asia Cup

The tug-of-war between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) continues. In the latest episode, the Zaka Ashraf-led board demanded compensation from ACC over poor turnout in the Sri Lanka leg of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Notably, Pakistan wanted to host the entire tournament on their home turf, but BCCI secretary and ACC chief Jay Shah clearly communicated that the Indian team would not be travelling there. Recently, the Shah also clarified that the broadcasters and other shareholders hesitated in Pakistan hosting the tournament as well. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka leg of the tournament has seen a really poor turnout so far as a lot of empty seats were spotted in Pallekele during the match between India and Nepal. Thus, PCB expressed their disappointment regarding the same and blamed ACC for taking a decision regarding a last-minute change of venue without informing other members of the ACC.

Ashraf also shared that a meeting took place between the members of BCCI, SLC and PCB after India’s match against Nepal. He revealed that the idea was to move from Colombo to Hambantota but ACC later changed it without consulting others.

“In the meeting, it was agreed that since the forecast is that Hambantota would remain dry the matches in Colombo should be moved there,” Ashraf has written in the letter.

He has also expressed his disappointment with the way Pakistan have been treated and ignored while key decisions on the tournament and venues were taken. Meanwhile, their team have been top-notch on the field. The Babar Azam-led side defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the first Super Four clash of the Asia Cup and will challenge arch-rivals India next.

The pacers are in incredible form at the moment as Haris Rauf picked up four and Naseem Shah picked up three against the Bangla Tigers. With the bat, Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan reigned supreme to get the job done in Lahore.