The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants Asia Cup 2023 to be shifted from Pakistan, an official told Indian media today.
Amid the Asia Cup controversy and a series of interviews from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi, a BCCI official told the Indian media outlet that he hasn't seen the new hybrid model which is proposed for the Asian event.
"I haven't seen the new hybrid model so far," the official was quoted saying. "There is no change in our stance. We want Asia Cup to be shifted from Pakistan due to political unrest there," he added.
The official said they are monitoring the situation and will take any decision after consulting with all stakeholders.
The BCCI official also said that UAE's hot weather will not be suitable for players. "Hot weather of the UAE will not be suitable for players. We can't compromise on players' safety," he concluded.
It must be noted here that PCB has offered two options in the hybrid model. In first option, India will play their matches at a neutral venue whereas all other matches will be played in Pakistan. In another option, four matches of the group stage in the first phase will take place in Pakistan whereas second phase, in which matches of Indian team followed by the next stage matches including the final, will be played at a neutral venue.
PCB, according to sources, has named Dubai as a preferred neutral venue in a hybrid model. If Dubai hosts the second phase of the Asia Cup, according to the second hybrid model, PCB will get its share in gate money. However, PCB will have to bear the loss if the neutral venue is other than the UAE.
Asian Cricket Council (ACC)'s vice-president Pankaj Khimji is expected to meet president Jay Shah within 24 hours to discuss the second option of hybrid model.
Khimji will meet Shah to give him a briefing on the second option of the hybrid model. Moreover, Khimji will also share the details of his meeting with PCB head Sethi with Shah who is also the secretary of the BCCI.