Zaka Ashraf unhappy with hybrid Asia Cup model
Zaka Ashraf
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Big-hitting New Zealand crush Pakistan by five wickets for 2-0 lead
18 Mar 25
Zaka Ashraf, the potential next Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman was unhappy with the hybrid model concept for the 2023 Asia Cup.
Zaka’s appointment is expected to be held soon as he was appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the PCB Board of Governors.
“The first point is that I had rejected the hybrid model [for Asia Cup] in the past itself because I do not agree with it. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) board had decided that the tournament should be held entirely in Pakistan. However, major matches are [being] held elsewhere, and only minor teams like Nepal will play in Pakistan. Injustice has been done to Pakistan,” said Zaka.
“Being the hosts, the complete event [Asia Cup] should take place in Pakistan” he said.
But the former PCB chairman said he will not block" the decision taken by his predecessor Najam Sethi, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
"In my personal opinion, this whole hybrid model isn't beneficial for Pakistan and I didn't like it. Being a host, Pakistan should have negotiated better to make sure that the entire tournament should have played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka taking the bigger lot of games, leaving Pakistan with only four games, isn't in the best interest of our country," ESPNcricinfo quoted Ashraf as saying.
"But I see the decision has been made, so we have to go with it. I will not block or have any intention not to comply with the decision. I cannot do much about it but to honour the commitment. But going forward, every decision we make will be made for and in the interest of the country," he added.
