PCB refusing to play ODI series against Sri Lanka
The word out there is that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refuses to play their ODI series against Sri Lanka due to the Asia Cup 2023 hosting issues. PCB had proposed a hybrid model to host the tournament as India wasn’t willing to play the championship in Pakistan. Hence, PCB tried to accommodate them as much as possible. But India has refused to accept that and has proposed Sri Lanka as a venue for Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka has accepted the offer of hosting the tournament. Similar rumours were going around before too, but there was no confirmation. The latest press talks with Jay Shah are enough for proof.
In this article, we will dig deeper into this story.
Consequences for Sri Lanka?
PCB talked with the Indian media that they are calling off their series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. The board is displeased at Sri Lanka’s willingness to host this year’s Asia Cup.
Pakistan Cricket team initially had the tour planned for Sri Lanka. They would play some ODI matches and two test matches on Lankan soil. But as Sri Lanka is willing to host Asia Cup, Pakistan is pulling out of this supposed series.
It is not like this came out of the blue; Pakistan had initially threatened Sri Lanka Cricket to pull off the series if they would host the Asia Cup. But with the later reports that Sri Lanka would not betray them, Pakistan Cricket Board continued the talks.
Mr Najam Sethi had also anticipated that other cricket boards would persuade BCCI to accept the hybrid model. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have shared friendly ties so far. And the chairman had the most expectations from them. But this seemed to be nothing short of a betrayal.
Hence, the guys in green will not be going to Sri Lanka for the series. These are some consequences that SLC will face due to their Asia Cup decision.
Will Pakistan play Asia Cup this year?
Will Pakistan play in the Asia Cup 2023? Well, we do not know yet. The thing is, Pakistan was going to host this year. And they are thrown out of the hosting in a very shameful manner. In an informal meeting with the press, Jay Shah also commented that ACC would soon tell PCB to either play in the tournament in Sri Lanka or they can withdraw.
This seems to hit the PCB’s dignity. If Pakistan pulls out of the Asia Cup this year, it will also mean that Pakistan will also dare to pull out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which may have some dire consequences for them.
If the boys do not play in the Asian cricket tournament, UAE will likely replace them, as they were the runner-ups for the Premier Cup.
What do fans want? – Final words
Fans want the best cricket. And without the Pakistan Cricket Team, the tournament will be incomplete. This Asian Giant is not the team you will leave behind when recording the history of cricket on this continent.
A vast population will be missing out on some top-quality cricket if Politics is dragged into the sports unduly.
Hence, all the Asian boards have to understand this and come to some mutual agreement. Otherwise, these things are going to be bad for the game.
