In a recent development, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah addressed the concerns former PCB President Najam Sethi raised regarding the Asia Cup 2023 schedule. Shah clarified why the Asia Cup matches moved to Sri Lanka instead of the UAE and shed light on the decision-making process.
One of the key factors that led to the decision to host the Asia Cup matches in Sri Lanka was the reluctance of participating teams to play One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in the scorching heat of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Jay Shah explained that the initial hesitation from full members, media rights holders, and in-stadium rights holders to host the tournament in Pakistan was primarily due to concerns related to security and the economic situation in the country.
Jay Shah, who also serves as the ACC President, emphasized his commitment to finding a mutually agreeable solution to the scheduling dilemma. He mentioned that he had accepted a hybrid model proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in collaboration with ACC management. However, negotiations faced challenges, particularly regarding critical aspects such as tax exemption and match insurance.
“All the full members, media rights holders, and in-stadium rights holders were initially hesitant to commit to hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan. This reluctance stemmed from concerns related to the security and economic situation prevailing in the country,” Jay Shah said in a statement.
Shah underscored the importance of considering the differences between the T20 and One-Day formats. The previous Asia Cup in 2022 was played in the UAE in the T20 format, which has distinct dynamics from ODIs. ACC members received feedback from their respective high-performance teams, expressing concerns about playing One-Day matches in the UAE in September. Such a schedule could lead to player fatigue and an increased risk of injuries, particularly right before the ICC Cricket World Cup.
“The decision-making process regarding the Asia Cup 2023 format and venue was guided by a sincere desire to prioritize the well-being of the players, as well as the overarching interests of the sport. Ultimately, the goal was to strike a balance that would allow for a competitive and successful tournament while ensuring the health and readiness of the participating teams for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023,” Shah added.
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The recent match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Pallekele was marred by constant rain during the second innings. This unfortunate weather event led to both teams receiving one point each. Speculation arose that the tournament’s Super 4 and final games might be moved to Hambantota due to heavy rains in the Sri Lankan capital.
In conclusion, Jay Shah reiterated that the decision-making process concerning the Asia Cup 2023 format and venue was guided by a sincere desire to prioritize player well-being and the overarching interests of the sport. The goal was to strike a balance that would allow for a competitive and successful tournament while ensuring the health and readiness of participating teams for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
