In the midst of the Asia Cup saga, the ICC is seeking a guarantee from the PCB about ODI World Cup participation.The news comes after PCB head Najam Sethi stated that the squad will not travel to India for the World Cup if the Rohit Sharma-led side does not visit Pakistan for the previous Asia Cup.

In the midst of the Asia Cup saga, the ICC is seeking a guarantee from the PCB about ODI World Cup participation.The news comes after PCB head Najam Sethi stated that the squad will not travel to India for the World Cup if the Rohit Sharma-led side does not visit Pakistan for the previous Asia Cup.India Press TrustMay 31, 2023, 10:43 a.m. ISTReading Time: 2 minutes

In the midst of the Asia Cup saga, the ICC is seeking a guarantee from the PCB about ODI World Cup participation.

AFP file shot of India vs. Pakistan match

The chairman and CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC) are in Lahore to seek assurances from the PCB that it would not advocate for the implementation of a hybrid format for its matches in the ODI World Cup in India later this year. InsidersAccording to PTI, ICC chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice came to Lahore expressly to receive guarantees from the Pakistan Cricket Board on the national team’s participation in the World Cup in October-November.

The news comes after PCB head Najam Sethi stated that the squad will not travel to India for the World Cup if the Rohit Sharma-led side does not visit Pakistan for the previous Asia Cup. “The ICC and World Cup hosts, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), are concerned about the hybrid model promoted by Najam Sethi, chairman of the PCB’s cricket management committee.”

“Although Sethi proposed the hybrid model for the Asia Cup, which precedes the ICC event, the concern remains that if accepted for the regional event, the PCB may then ask the ICC to implement it for the World Cup when Pakistan plays in India,” he stated.

Sethi has previously stated that if the Pakistan government does not provide approval or has security concerns about sending the team to India, the PCB may request that the matches be held at a neutral location.

“Naturally, neither the ICC nor the BCCI want such a situation because Pakistan’s unequivocal participation in matches in India would ensure the success of both the Indo-Pakistan series and the tournament itself.” Another source stated that this was the key reason why BCCI secretary Jay Shah was still hesitant to embrace the hybrid format for the Asia Cup and support having three or four matches in Pakistan and the rest games in the UAE or Sri Lanka.

The Asia Cup is being hosted by Pakistan, and Sethi has stated repeatedly that if the event is transferred to a neutral nation other than Pakistan, Pakistan will not participate.

He has also intimated that if Pakistan does not get to host certain Asia Cup matches, it might have an impact on the World Cup.

“ICC officials are attempting to act as a bridge between the PCB and the BCCI in order to resolve outstanding issues concerning the Asia Cup and World Cup.”