Page 40 - The Indian EYE 063023

SPORTS JUNE 30, 2023 | The Indian Eye 40

After the resolution of ACC issue,

all eyes now on Pakistan’s

participation in World Cup 2023

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal will compete in 13 exciting
ODI matches from August 31 to September 17, 2023

OUR BUREAU
Lahore/London
n an important development,
Pakistan Cricket Board chair-
Iman Najam Sethi’s statement
on Friday started a new debate over
Pakistan’s participation in the ICC
ODI World Cup 2023 as he said that
the decision lies in the government’s
hands to approve.
“As far as India and Pakistan go,
neither the PCB or the BCCI can
take decisions. The respective gov-
ernments only can take decisions,”
Sethi said during a press confer-
ence on Friday. When asked about
the venue of India-Pakistan, Sethi
said, “It’s our government who has
to decide, just like when it comes to
India, it’s their government that de-
cides when they go to play. There is
no point asking us if we will play in
Ahmedabad. When the time comes,
first it will be decided whether we are
going or not, then the government The ACC tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in
decides where we will go. Our deci-
sion will rest on these two important Sri Lanka. The Indian team will play all their matches in Sri Lanka (ANI)
conditions.”
Chairman said on Friday, “This been accepted. This means the PCB Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) hybrid model is a solution to a de- will remain as the event host and a total of 13 exciting ODI matches.
cade-long problem between India stage matches in Pakistan with Sri The tournament will be hosted in a
on Thursday had announced a and Pakistan, and to resolve it I have Lanka as the neutral venue, which hybrid model with four matches be-
hybrid model for the upcoming come up with this solution.” was required due to the Indian crick- ing held in Pakistan, and the remain-
“These four matches could have et team’s inability to travel to Paki- ing nine matches being played in Sri
Asia Cup 2023, with Pakistan been more but it was not possible for stan,” said Sethi in a video released Lanka,” ACC announced in a state-
set to host four matches out of teams to play here and then go there by Pakistan Cricket Twitter handle. ment.
(Sri Lanka), so therefore it was sepa- “Our passionate fans would have “The 2023 Edition will feature
13, while the remaining nine rated like such that four matches will loved to see the India cricket team in two groups, with two teams from
games will be played in Sri Lan- be played here and rest in Sri Lan- action in Pakistan for the first time each group qualifying for the Super
ka,” he further said.
Four stage. The top two teams from
in 15 years, but we understand the
ka. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, “What is it that we have accept- BCCI’s position. Like the PCB, the the Super Four stage will then face
Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and ed, it has been 15 years since they are BCCI also requires government ap- off in the final.”
“We look forward to welcoming
not coming, it is nothing new. What
proval and clearance before crossing
Nepal will compete in 13 excit- we got; they were not giving us one borders,” he further added. fans from around the world to wit-
“We are delighted to announce
ing ODI matches from August match, we had only one option to that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held ness this celebration of cricket at its
finest,” it further read.
boycott. But you know the implica-
31 to September 17, 2023. tion for that,” Sethi added. from 31st to 17th September 2023 As of now the venues and fix-
“I am elated that our hybrid ver- and will see the elite teams from In- tures are yet to be revealed by the
On the hybrid model, PCB sion for the ACC Asia Cup 2023 has dia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, ACC.
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