F.P. Report
LAHORE: The chairman-designate of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf has termed Asia Cup’s hybrid model an “injustice” to Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference along with Ehsan Ur Rehman Mazari, the Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) in Islamabad on Wednesday, Zaka expressed his desire to have the hybrid model reviewed for keeping all matches of the Asia Cup tournament in Pakistan.
He asserted the tournament should be held entirely in Pakistan in accordance with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). “But major matches are played elsewhere, and only minor teams like Nepal play in Pakistan. Injustice has been done to Pakistan,” he explained.
Zaka Ashraf said that he will try to make changes in the limited time available. “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,” he added, noting that he also plans to engage with the Indian leadership.
Zaka Ashraf, who is expected to become the next chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressed his opposition to the hybrid model for the Asia Cup right from the beginning.
Ashraf, who previously held the position of PCB chairman under the previous Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government, stated that the hybrid model does not benefit Pakistan in any way.
Following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan, the management committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), headed by Najam Sethi, proposed a hybrid model for the Asia Cup.
After facing several challenges, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) eventually approved the hybrid model. As per the approved plan, the first four matches will be held in Pakistan, and subsequently, the tournament will move to Sri Lanka where nine matches, including the final, will be played.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 17. Yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif nominated Zaka Ashraf and Mustafa Ramday for inclusion in the PCB Board of Governors (BoG).
The Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday.
Following the notification of Zaka Ashraf and Mustafa Ramday, the Board of Governors (BoG) now has a complete membership of 10 individuals. Alongside Ashraf and Ramday, four representatives from cricket associations and four representatives from departments will also be part of the BoG.
Ehsan Mazari said that the term of the PCB Management Committee ended on the night of June 19. People’s Party leadership wanted Ashraf to be nominated as Chairman Cricket Board and the authority of PCB is with the Election Commissioner, he said adding that it will hold the election related to PCB before Eid Ul Adha.
Zaka Ashraf said that he was planning to build a cricket stadium in Islamabad, unfortunately, the project could not go ahead.
Ehsan Mazari said if India talks about neutral ground then Pakistan will not go to India.
