The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) sources on Monday said that they have not sent out any proposal to the member nations regarding the postponement of the Asia Cup 2023. This comes after there were media reports that Asia Cup could be postponed and a parallel tournament, excluding Pakistan, could be played in Dubai in the same window.
The reports that floated earlier claimed that if PCB will not agree to play Asia Cup at a neutral venue, the tournament could be taken away from the country.
The hosting rights of the 2023 Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in ODI format, are with the Pakistan Cricket Board but BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the ACC chairman, has made it clear that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan.
On the other hand, the PCB has proposed to host Asia Cup on a 'hybrid model', where Pakistan play their matches on home soil, while India plays at a neutral venue in all likelihood Dubai.
"There has been exchange of messages but no discussion or proposal to postpone the Asia Cup has been floated," an ACC Board member, privy to discussions on the sidelines of an ICC meet in Dubai, told PTI on the conditions of anonymity.
"Secondly, if the Asia Cup is canceled, PCB will be intimated first. Nothing of that sort has happened till now. The ACC chairman (Shah) hasn't yet put anything on record.
"To postpone or cancel the event, the ACC will have to call an Executive Board meeting. The chairman (Shah) can call the meeting in seven days (virtual or physical). To date, there is no intimation about any such meeting," the source added.
The ACC source said that, to the best of his knowledge, the last official mail exchange between the PCB, ACC, and BCCI was an invitation sent to the Indian team with the assurance of the highest degree of security and best hospitality.
"But it is difficult for India to travel to Pakistan in the current sensitive political environment," he agreed.
The other issue is the amount of money the official broadcaster has committed to telecast deals, which includes at least two assured India-Pakistan games. If the two teams make the final, the third game would be a bonanza.
"We must remember the media rights and the agreement with Star Sports, who have paid millions for, at least, two Pakistan vs India matches in the Asia Cup," he said.
It is learned that when the informal discussion was held between the ACC members about hosting the tournament at a neutral venue, the source confirmed that BCCI did get support from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
"Look, if Asia Cup is canceled after the ACC chairman summons an Executive Board meeting, the ramifications will not just be Pakistan's World Cup participation but also PCB's FTP calendar and bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan or Bangladesh.
"The situation is still very fluid," the source said.
(Inputs from PTI)
