'There shouldn't be any bias on basis of board's financial status' - Moin Khan unhappy with 'hybrid model' for Asia Cup 2023

Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have been at the loggerheads since 2022 over the venue of the Asia Cup 2023 which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has made it clear time and again that India won’t travel to Pakistan for the continental tournament and hence there have been talks of conducting it in a hybrid model.

PCB has recently confirmed that the 'hybrid model' is presently under discussion with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for the Asia Cup but it won’t be followed in the ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in India later this year.

According to the model, India will reportedly play their matches outside of Pakistan and if they qualify for the final, it will also take place elsewhere. Reacting to the PCB’s statement, former Pakistan cricketer Moin Khan has suggested a proper dialogue between the two cricket boards to resolve their issues. He further said that Pakistan should also not travel to India for the ODI World Cup if Asia Cup happens in a hybrid model.

"Cricket should happen and the two boards should try to find a solution. There should be a discussion as to why India doesn't want to come to Pakistan. There should be cricket diplomacy between the two countries. If India does not come here to play the Asia Cup, then Pakistan should not go either for the World Cup. I think Pakistan Cricket Board should oppose this. If India plays the Asia Cup at a neutral venue, Pakistan's matches should also be held at a neutral venue," Moin was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

The 51-year-old also stated that these matters should not be affected by financial superiority and that every cricket board should get a proper say in these matters irrespective of their financial status in world cricket.

There shouldn't be any bias on the basis of a board's financial status: Moin Khan

"Game of cricket shouldn't be affected. Agar aap paise kee dhons pe kaam karenge to kabhi sort out nahi hoga (If you work on the basis on financial superiority, then there won't be a solution). Every cricket playing nation has its own stature as they've played cricket competitively and should continue to do so. There shouldn't be any bias on the basis of a board's financial status. This is against the 'spirit of cricket'," he added.

India and Pakistan don’t have bilateral cricketing relations anymore and the two teams last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 in India. On the other hand, India last travelled to Pakistan for the 2008 Asia Cup and have not visited the country following the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai in the same year. The fans only get to see the two heavyweights go against each other in multinational tournaments such as Asia Cup or World Cup.