The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has selected Sri Lanka as the primary alternative to replacing Pakistan as the Asia Cup host after member nations opposed the Pakistan Cricket Boards (PCB) “hybrid model.” After the BCCI rejected to come to Pakistan due to security issues, the PCB offered the idea. Due to diplomatic problems between the two countries, they have only played each other in ICC events. The six-team tournament may be held in September in Sri Lanka, with the UAE out due to highly humid circumstances at the time.Why the Pakistan proposed hybrid model not viableThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed hosting Indias matches in the UAE and maintaining their matches in Pakistan, but other countries rejected the notion due to logistical issues. According to an ACC source, during his recent trip to Dubai, PCB Chairman Najam Sethi was unable to get backing for his proposal. Even the Bangladesh Cricket Board appeared to be opposed to the notion, while Sri Lanka had previously backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The ACC has long maintained that the “hybrid model” is, in principle, unacceptable and that financial sanctions cannot be authorised.Image: TwitterAccording to a source, the suggested hybrid concept would also imply that if India and Pakistan are in the same group, the third team would have to fly between Dubai and a city in Pakistan, causing logistical issues. Nepal is in the same group as India and Pakistan in the forthcoming September tournament, according to the existing format. Broadcasters would encounter technical challenges as well, as they would not want to send different units to two countries. According to the ACC official, Sri Lanka, like the UAE, would not need inter-city flights because all matches could be held at the Khettarama (Premadasa Stadium), SSC, Galle, or Kandy.
