If you’ve been watching Asia Cup 2023 in Canada, you probably caught a whiff of the ACC receiving criticism for not including Pakistan’s name on the tournament logo. There is another complaint.
The Pakistan Cricket Body has lodged a complaint seeking reimbursement from ACC Jay Shah for Asia Cup losses.
Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the Management Committee at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has formally requested compensation from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to cover the financial losses from matches being washed out during the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
In a letter addressed to ACC President Jay Shah Ashraf outlined the PCB’s concerns and grievances regarding the tournament’s management.
Furthermore, the PCB expressed disappointment with the decision to proceed with the Asia Cup matches in Colombo amidst adverse weather conditions instead of relocating the Super 4 fixtures to Hambantota, to which all member nations had agreed.
India was hesitant to this move, preferring its Super Four fixtures’ venue to remain unchanged, including the much-awaited super clash you’ll witness as you watch India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 in Canada live from Sri Lanka.
The PCB’s letter expressed disappointment over the lack of consultation and demanded to know who made this unilateral decision without following due process or consulting the event’s host.
The PCB highlighted what it regarded as illogical reasoning behind prioritizing spectator bookings over the risk of matches being washed out. Pakistan’s Group A match against India is among the games that were washed out.
Insisting that the ACC should take responsibility, the PCB also sought clarity on who would bear responsibility for losses from washed-out matches and the negative impact on the ACC Event’s brand value.
Zaka Ashraf’s predecessor, Najam Sethi, also expressed his discontent on social media platform X, criticizing the choice of venue for the Asia Cup. Sethi said he strongly recommended playing the remaining matches in the UAE rather than Sri Lanka.
ACC President Jay Shah addressed the situation, explaining the decision to move the Asia Cup 2023 out of Pakistan.
He said initial concerns about hosting the complete tournament in Pakistan among the media, in-stadium rights holders, and full ACC members stemmed from worries about security and the nation’s economic status.
Shah also emphasized that the T20 format of the Asia Cup 2022 edition held in the UAE couldn’t be directly compared to the 50-over One-day format of the Asia Cup 2023.
He mentioned that playing One-day matches in the UAE in September could lead to player fatigue and increased injury risk ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.
He also stressed that the decision-making process for the Asia Cup 2023 format and venue prioritized the players’ well-being and the interests of the sport.
The ACC’s boss further reiterated that the goal was to strike a balance that ensured a competitive and successful tournament without compromising teams’ health and readiness for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Jane Davies
