Zaka Ashraf shows discontent for ACC’s hybrid model for Asia Cup, says ‘injustice has been done to Pakistan’

The next likely Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has shown his discontent with the model of the upcoming Asia Cup which is set to take place in September. The Asia Cricket Council (ACC) last week announced its decision to host the Asia Cup in a hybrid model which will see Pakistan host four matches while Sri Lanka will host nine matches as unofficial hosts. According to Ashraf, it is an injustice to Pakistan as the majority of the tournament will be played away from home despite it being the official host of the tournament.

Injustice towards Pakistan?

“I don’t agree with it. According to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the tournament should be held entirely in Pakistan. Major matches are played elsewhere, and only minor teams like Nepal play in Pakistan. Injustice has been done to Pakistan,” Ashraf said in a media conference on Wednesday, June 21 evening as quoted by Cricbuzz. 

Ashraf is set to take the reigns as the chairman of the PCB in the comings after he was appointed to the board of governors by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The elections for the PCB chairman post will take place in the coming days where Ashraf is expected to take the helm with former chairman Najam Sethi out of the race. Sethi, who was in the interim charge had retaliated against the model proposed by ACC which sees India play their Asia Cup matches away from Pakistan.

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Ashraf to push for changes in Asia Cup

It is expected Ashraf will try to push for a change in the plan of the Asia Cup to schedule more matches in Pakistan. However, given the clear verdict of the ACC in the past, any changes to the plans are highly unlikely as the preparations are now in the final stage. ACC, headed by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, is now keen on deciding the venues for the tournament with India playing all their matches including against Pakistan in Sri Lanka.

“I will try to do what is in the best interest of Pakistan within the shortest possible time. There are many pending issues, and I am not delving deep into the matter since I haven’t officially taken over,” Ashraf added.

It is expected that the Asia Cup will start on August 31 and the final will likely take place on September 17. Both India and Pakistan are in the same group along with Nepal, while Bangladesh, unofficial hosts Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are placed in another group.

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