The Asia Cup cricket tournament is halfway through its schedule of matches but the sport’s administrators in the “host” country of Pakistan and the sport’s regional governing body have been questioning where the matches on left to play.
Until late Tuesday, the night before the start of the second round, it was not clear where the rest of the competition, including the final, will be played.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) were embroiled in a dispute over decision-making powers.
Which organization runs the Asia Cup?
The ACC includes cricket boards from 25 regional countries. It is currently managed by Jay Shah who is also the secretary of the Indian cricket board and the son of the current home minister of India.
Who ‘hosts’ the competition?
Well, that’s the complicated part.
Pakistan is the official host but nine of the tournament’s 13 matches are taking place in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan had planned to host the event in 2020 but after complications arising from the coronavirus pandemic and India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan citing the government’s refusal, the hosting rights were awarded to Sri Lanka with the tournament rescheduled. -organization for 2022.
With an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka that year, the tournament was eventually played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pakistan’s hosting rights have been deferred until the 2023 edition, the first time it would host the event since 2008.
However, in October, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Shah announced that India would not travel to Pakistan citing “political tensions” between the two South Asian neighbors. .
Meanwhile, Pakistan said it would reconsider sending its team to India for the Cricket World Cup scheduled to begin next month.
Get ready for the ultimate clash as 6 top Asian teams battle it out for supremacy in the Men’s Asia ODI Cup! Exciting matches await in Pakistan (2:30 PM Pak time) and Sri Lanka (3:00 PM SL local time). Let the battle begin! 🏆 #ACC pic.twitter.com/kh9YJM8phK
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) August 22, 2023
What happened last?
India refused to travel to Pakistan and the PCB was unwilling to lose hosting rights.
The PCB chief at the time, Najam Sethi, proposed a “hybrid model” that would split the competition between Pakistan and another ACC member country. India would play its matches outside Pakistan and the PCB would retain the hosting rights.
After much debate, the ACC – led by Shah BCCI – agreed and Sri Lanka was announced as the second country to host the games.
Pakistan would host four matches, with all participants barring India from playing at least one match in the country.
I sought three agreements at various meetings with Jay Shah and ACC colleagues:
Play all matches in Pakistan as international cricket has returned to Pakistan.
When this was shot down
I suggested that we play five matches in Pakistan and eight in the UAE.
Here they are too…– Najam Sethi (@najamseti) September 4, 2023
What caused the latest confusion?
Mostly the weather.
After the marquee clash of the tournament between India and Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday broke out, and a rainy forecast for the remaining matches for the capital, Colombo, administrators tried to move the games to another city in Sri Lanka.
The PCB recommended Hambantota, a remote town in southern Sri Lanka with a very dry forecast.
The stadium’s remote location, lack of accommodation options and last-minute relocation for teams, broadcasters, officials and fans meant the ACC was reluctant to move.
While details were being ironed out, the ACC announced that the schedule would remain with the remaining matches to be played in Colombo.
Why does the PCB bother him?
As the official host of the tournament, the PCB was angered by the ACC’s decision to issue the latest notification unilaterally and without seeking official confirmation from the PCB, which hosts the competition.
This led to a day of manic activity behind the scenes as the PCB sought a meeting of the ACC executive board and registered its complaint with Shah, according to a report on ESPNcricinfo.
As the drama unfolded, Shah issued a statement saying: “All members, media rights holders and in-stadia rights holders were initially reluctant to commit to hosting to the entire tournament in Pakistan.
He then controversially stated that the trust was “due to concerns related to the security and economic situation of the country”.
As the #AsiaCup2023 starting! My best wishes to all the teams who are preparing to showcase their cricketing prowess. Let the tournament be a celebration of skill, fun, and unforgettable moments. Let’s celebrate the spirit of cricket together. @ACCMmedia1 pic.twitter.com/OQKolRT5CS
– Jay Shah (@JayShah) August 30, 2023
What happens now?
The funny scenes regarding the record come a month away from the World Cup which is expected to be held in India. Late announcements about schedules, subsequent changes and security concerns have hampered the run-up to world cricket’s biggest tournament.
For the Asia Cup, however, India and Pakistan are expected to meet in the Super Fours stage of the tournament on September 10.
The off-field drama will add more spice to the much-anticipated second edition of the clash, especially after the first one was abandoned midway through.
