The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently awaiting the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) executive committee meeting to discuss and make a decision regarding the fate of the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in two months. However, there are reports in the Indian media suggesting that a decision has already been made behind the scenes.

The PCB had proposed a “hybrid model” for the tournament, suggesting that Pakistan host the first-round matches, excluding those involving India, and then the competition moves to a neutral venue where India would participate. However, there hasn’t been any official progress on this matter.

According to a report by the Press Trust of India news agency, the PCB is left with two options: either to host the entire Asia Cup at a venue other than Pakistan or to withdraw from the tournament, which the PCB had already stated as a possible reaction if the “hybrid model” was rejected.

The report further claims that key ACC members, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, have supported the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) push to move the tournament out of Pakistan. This push was allegedly made by BCCI secretary and ACC president Jay Shah during the Indian Premier League final on May 27, where representatives from Afghanistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket were present.

It is repꦗorted that Sri Lanka Cricket is willing to host the Asia Cup if it is officially relocated from Pakistan, and their bid is backed by other members, including the BCCI.

However, the PCB possesses agreements from ACC members, other than India, stating that they have no issues with the proposed hybrid model or playing in Pakistan. These mem🐼bers have not officially communicated any change of mind to the PCB.

Furthermore, it has been reported that the PCB declined Sri Lanka’s offer for a three-match One-day International series during Pakistan’s two-Test tour to the country in July.

If the reports regarding the rejection of the “hybrid model” are accurate, the PCB might consider withdrawing the Pakistan team from the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be held in India in October-November. This issue could also extend to the hosting rights of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which were awarded to Pakistan two years ago, as the BCCI might refuse to travel to Pakistan due to pressure from its central government.

During a recent visit to the PCB headquarters in Lahore, the issue was discussed between the PCB’s top officials, including the board’s interim Management Committee chairman Najam Sethi, and the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) chairman Greg Barclay and chief executive Geoff Allardice. However, the details of these discussions were not covered in the PCB’s press release, and the ICC has remained silent on the matter despite approaches from media outlets.