Reports: ACC accepts PCB's hybrid model proposal, initial games set to be held in Pakistan

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is very likely to accept Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) new hybrid model that will see the upcoming Asia Cup begin in Pakistan and later move to Sri Lanka. As per reports, Pakistan are likely to host four to five matches out of the 13, and Sri Lanka will be hosting the remaining ones, including the big final. Meanwhile, India will be playing all their matches in Sri Lanka as PCB and ACC have agreed on the same.

The tournament is likely to begin somewhere between the first and second week of September and will continue accordingly. This will be a great opportunity for all the Asian teams to finalise their squads for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is very likely to begin right after the completion of the continental tournament. Meanwhile, all the matches in Pakistan are likely to be played in Lahore, while Kandy and Galle in Sri Lanka remain favourites to host the remaining matches.

As per ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan wanted UAE as their cohost, but Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) raised concerns about the extreme weather condition in the Gulf nation during September. Thus, Pakistan agreed to join forces with Sri Lanka in order to host the upcoming Asia Cup.

The hybrid model was proposed after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Najam Sethi-led board later criticised BCCI for the same and stated that the Babar Azam-led side will not travel to India for the upcoming ODI World Cup. However, things have cooled down ever since as reports suggest that Pakistan will be coming to India to take part in the mega tournament later in the year, which is slated to begin in the month of October.

Reports also suggest that the PCB head had presented details of the hybrid model to Pankaj Khimji, head of Oman Cricket and the ACC's vice-president, in a meeting in Dubai a couple of weeks ago. He later pitched it to other members of the ACC as it finally got approved, and an official statement will soon confirm the details.