Ashish Ranjan
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was embroiled in a new controversy after incoming president Zaka Ashraf publicly criticized the decision to use a ‘hybrid model’ for the Asia Cup 2023. Since his comments prompted a media uproar, Najam Sethi’s successor has moderated his stance on the hosting plans for the continental tournament.
The newly appointed PCB chief Zaka Ashraf expressed his displeasure with the Asia Cup’s hybrid format on Wednesday. He believed that the decision to host the majority of matches outside Pakistan, the tournament’s original host, was not in the best interest of the country.
“In my opinion, this entire hybrid paradigm is not advantageous for Pakistan, and I disliked it. Pakistan, as the host, should have negotiated more effectively to ensure that the entire tournament was played in Pakistan. It is not in Pakistan’s best interest for Sri Lanka to receive a larger number of games, leaving Pakistan with only four, Ashraf was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Every decision we make will be in the best interest of the nation. Zaka Ashraf
He criticized his predecessor for failing to negotiate a better plan for the impending tournament, as Pakistan was allotted only four matches while Sri Lanka received nine. Since his outburst, however, the PCB president has had a change of heart, disclosing that he will not interfere with the decisions made regarding Asia Cup 2023.
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“However, I see that the decision has been made, so we must adhere to it. I have no intention of obstructing or refusing to comply with the decision. I have little choice but to uphold my commitment. In contrast, going forward, every decision we make will be in the national interest, Ashraf stated in his most recent remarks.
