PCB could lose USD 3 million if Pakistan does not play Asia Cup: Najam Sethi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could lose USD 3 million if it does not play in Asia Cup 2023, chairman Najam Sethi has said. Sethi had made it clear that the PCB is open to having a hybrid model, wherein India will play its matches elsewhere, while Pakistan, who are currently the tournament hosts, will play all their matches in their own country.

The PCB chairman has also said that Pakistan will not accept any other schedule. 

"We have made it very clear that unless the Asia Cup is held on a hybrid model like we have proposed, that is India playing its matches at an offshore venue and Pakistan hosting the remaining games at home we will not accept any other schedule and neither play," he said.

There were talks of the tournament being at a neutral venue due to India's reluctance to travel, but Sethi is adamant that Pakistan will retain its hosting rights. "We will not lose our hosting rights," Sethi said.

"Security is no excuse for them now and we have told them if their government is not giving them clearance to play in Pakistan show us some written proof of this," Sethi said.

"When all other teams including Australia, England, New Zealand are playing in Pakistan without any issues there should be no security concerns for India to tour Pakistan."

The Asia Cup 2023 will be a 50-over event, played between six teams, which is seen as preparation for many teams for the ODI World Cup, scheduled to be played in India in October-November this year. Last year, the tournament was held in a T20 format in the UAE ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.