Hybrid model for Asia Cup and beyond may end Pakistan-India 'logjam', says PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board is still hopeful India agrees to its hybrid model of hosting majority of the Asia Cup games at a neutral venue in September

The Pakistan Cricket Board is still hopeful India agrees to its hybrid model of hosting majority of the Asia Cup games at a neutral venue in September.

The hybrid model is the brainchild of Najam Sethi, who is the head of the PCB management committee.

Sethi met with the members of the Asian Cricket Council in the United Arab Emirates this week to work out solution after India said it will not travel to Pakistan for the event because of political tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan, India, qualifier Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the six nations due to compete in the Asia Cup which is seen as a major tune-up for the teams due to participate in the World Cup in India.

“Until India is ready to play Pakistan bilaterally and in Pakistan, let’s have a hybrid solution,” Sethi said.

Sethi’s suggestive model to end the impasse means India could play Pakistan at a neutral venue in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy and even the World Cup, while the remaining matches are played in the host nation as scheduled.

After India hosts the World Cup later this year, Pakistan is due to host the Champions Trophy in 2025.