No Proposal to Replace Asia Cup with Five-Nation Tournament, Says ACC Source

ISLAMABAD: According to sources, there are no discussions or considerations regarding a proposal to replace the Asia Cup with a five-nation or alternate tournament. The scheduled events are proceeding as planned, and the idea of such a replacement holds no value, as reported by The News on Tuesday.

Sources within the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) strongly denied rumors suggesting that a member country had suggested replacing the Asia Cup with a five-nation or alternate event to be held in the UAE.

No Proposal to Replace Asia Cup with Five-Nation Tournament, Says ACC Source

The source within the ACC confirmed that Pakistan has the right to host the Asia Cup in September, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put forward a “hybrid model” proposal that is currently being considered by member countries.

The PCB’s proposal suggests that Pakistan will host their matches on home soil, while India will play at a neutral venue, most likely Dubai.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, has already stated that India will not travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. In response, PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi proposed the “hybrid model” during the last ACC meeting to retain the cup in Pakistan.

The BCCI wants the entire tournament to be shifted to the UAE, where there are three grounds available in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, similar to the arrangement in 2018. An ACC board member recently stated that there have been message exchanges, but no discussions or proposals to postpone the Asia Cup have been put forward.

Najam Sethi confirmed that the PCB is awaiting a response from the BCCI regarding the hybrid model. He emphasized that no ACC country has the authority to make decisions that affect collective benefits, and any significant issues must be discussed in an ACC meeting.

The PCB has assured the highest level of security to India and other participating countries, comparable to the arrangements provided to the New Zealand team. A PCB official pointed out that all Asian countries, except India, have recently traveled to Pakistan for international events. Therefore, there is no reason for any other country to refuse to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

There are several implications to consider. It is asserted that no country, including India, can dictate or monopolize the ACC. Under the ACC umbrella, no Asian country can be denied its right to host the event. Any attempts to deny or plan otherwise would lead to confusion and a bleak future for the ACC, according to a source.

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Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid - Editor Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid joins "To The Sports News" as an Editor, bringing a decade of comprehensive journalistic experience to our team. A respected Pakistani journalist, he has dedicated his career to covering a wide array of global issues across the world, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex subjects and a commitment to detailed reporting. Mr. Wahid has a background working with prominent print and electronic media organizations, including Channel Five TV, the newspaper "Khabrain," The Nation/Nawa-i-Waqt, NNI, Daily Sama, City 42, Star Asia, Waqt News, Daily The Business, and Daily The Khabrain. His work has covered areas such as Environment, Health, and Sports. He is also a member of the Lahore Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ), highlighting his dedication to journalistic standards and diverse reporting. His academic background includes a BS Honors degree in Sociology and an MPhil from Punjab University, alongside a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sargodha. Furthermore, Mr. Wahid is a Ph.D. candidate in Journalism at Complutense University of Madrid, and has contributed to research on topics including the relationship of sports participation with achievement, motivation, and innovation traits among university students, and the effects of parental involvement on student participation in sports. With his extensive experience in covering diverse topics and his keen analytical skills, Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid is poised to lead our sports news coverage with depth, accuracy, and insightful perspectives, ensuring our readers receive top-tier journalistic content.

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