In response to Sri Lanka’s announcement that it wants to host the entire Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the latter’s invitation to play an ODI bilateral series there.
Sources within the PCB claim that the ‘Hybrid Model’ put forth by Najam Sethi, which called for four games to be conducted in Pakistan,but the offer of hosting the entire Asia Cup by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), had caused a deterioration in ties between the two organizations.
Pakistan is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in July to play two Tests of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle, and the SLC has apparently suggested that Pakistan also play a few ODIs as they are optimistic their team will book a spot from the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe and would benefit from more exposure before the main event in October.
But a trustworthy source stated that the PCB has now rejected the plan after first suggesting they would explore it.
“It is a clear indication that the PCB is not happy with the Sri Lankan board stepping in to offer to host the Asia Cup in September when it is Pakistan’s turn to host the regional event at home,” the source said.
“Sethi expected Sri Lanka with whom Pakistan has long had friendly relations, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to convince the Indian Cricket Board and other Asian Cricket Council board members to go with the proposal put by Sethi and at least play three to four games in Pakistan of the Asia Cup before moving the tournament elsewhere.” “He is disappointed at the way things have panned out in recent days especially when some of these board heads went to India for the IPL final and met with the BCCi secretary Jay Shah,” the source added.
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