The hybrid format for the Asia Cup will see four matches played in Pakistan and nine played in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s hybrid proposal for the Asia Cup was approved by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday, and the event dates of August 31-September 17 were revealed. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was unwilling to relocate the entire tournament since India was adamant about not visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup. After months of stalemate, the ACC finally confirmed in a press release that the tournament will be contested using a hybrid format, with four matches being played in Pakistan and the remaining nine in Sri Lanka.
Aakash Chopra, a former Indian batter, expressed his relief that the ACC had agreed to Pakistan’s hybrid plan.
India had already declined to travel, so this news does not surprise me in the slightest. As Chopra put it on his YouTube channel, “You cannot do like that in ICC events that you won’t play,” meaning that Pakistan will definitely show up to participate in the World Cup.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also made a fascinating analogy about the impasse, stating that Pakistan without the Asia Cup is like “pizza without topping.”
If you want to show some strength in the Asia Cup, you might just refuse to play and let the other teams compete in your place. Without Pakistan, the Asia Cup would be like a pizza without cheese or sauce. You shouldn’t expect any fun. That’s why you’re rooting for Pakistan to make it to the Asia Cup,” he continued.
Two teams from each of the six teams in the upcoming Asia Cup will advance to the Super Four round. The top two teams from the Super Four round will compete in the championship game.
