Asia Cup: PCB’s future chairman Zaka Ashraf adopts U-Turn on hybrid model

The hybrid model states that four Asia Cup matches will be held in Pakistan, while Sri Lanka will host the remaining nine matches, including the final.

Islamabad: In less than 24 hours after officially ‘rejecting’ the ‘hybrid model’ for the Asia Cup following a nod from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Pakistan Cricket Board-emerging chairman Zaka Ashraf launched a full ‘volte -face’ by accepting the four matches awarded to the original hosts.

The hybrid model, with the Asia Cup jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will see India play all of their matches, including two against the island’s arch-rivals.

The model was proposed by Ashraf’s predecessor and bete noire Najam Sethi and the banker, who will take over the reins of PCB on June 27, had “rejected” the idea at a media conference.

It has been learned that Ashraf was unaware that PCB chief Sethi had already been a signatory to ‘Hybrid Model’, which has been approved by the almighty ACC board headed by BCCI supremo Jay Shah and the decision cannot be reversed.

Pakistan Cricket Board could have faced punitive action if Ashraf caused a roadblock without full details of the event. “In my personal opinion, this whole hybrid model is not beneficial to Pakistan and I didn’t like it,” Ashraf told ESPN Cricinfo.

“As the host country, Pakistan should have negotiated better to ensure that the entire tournament would be played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka takes the largest number of games and leaves Pakistan with only four games, which is not in our country’s interest,” he added.

Ashraf then admitted he didn’t know all the details and made a full U-turn. “But I see the decision has been made, so we have to go with it. I will not block or have any intention of not complying with the decision. There’s not much I can do but keep the promise. But going forward, every decision we make will be made for and in the interest of the country.”