Zaka Ashraf, who is likely to be the next chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has waded into a controversy. Ashraf had rejected Najam Sethi's hybrid model for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. It seems like now he has undergone a change of heart. Zaka Ashraf had said he didn’t agree with the hybrid model during a media interview on Wednesday, triggering controversy over whether talks will resume regarding the specifics of the Asia Cup 2023 or not. But in a later turn of events, he told ESPNcricinfo that the decision has been made, so they will go ahead with it. The Asia Cup is to be held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan in September.

Zaka Ashraf’s change of heart

Zaka Ashraf said as quoted by Sports Inside, “In my personal opinion, this whole hybrid model is not beneficial for Pakistan and I did not like it. Being a host, Pakistan should have negotiated better to ensure that the entire tournament is played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka is taking a large number of matches and Pakistan has only four matches, which is not in our country's interest." 
Zaka Ashraf said that since the decision has been taken, they will have to abide by it. “I don't have any intention of non-compliance. I can't do anything about it now other than honouring the commitment. But going forward, whatever decision we take will be in the interest of the country."

Earlier, Zaka Ashraf had also said in a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday that he rejects the hybrid model of Asia Cup 2023 because he does not agree with it. He had also claimed that the board of the Asian Cricket Council had decided that the tournament should be held in India.&nbsp;

Asia Cup 2023: Good news for Indian fans

There’s also good news for the Indian fans ahead of the Asia Cup 2023. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah will most probably feature in the three-match T20 series against Ireland in August. Bumrah, who has not played since a T20I game against Australia in September last year, is recovering well from injury and could be at his peak fitness when he returns to the team.

Bumrah has been under the supervision of National Cricket Academy President VVS Laxman and Head Sports Science and Medicine Department Nitin Patel. This year, Bumrah attempted to make a comeback for the home series against Sri Lanka in January, but ongoing back problems derailed his plans, leaving him with no option but to undergo surgery a few months later.

The drama over Pakistan and its stance on the Asia Cup 2023 doesn’t seem to be ending soon. Zaka Ashraf, who is likely to be the next PCB chairman, has changed his opinion on the hybrid model.

Zaka Ashraf, who is likely to be the next chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has waded into a controversy. Ashraf had rejected Najam Sethi's hybrid model for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. It seems like now he has undergone a change of heart. Zaka Ashraf had said he didn’t agree with the hybrid model during a media interview on Wednesday, triggering controversy over whether talks will resume regarding the specifics of the Asia Cup 2023 or not. But in a later turn of events, he told ESPNcricinfo that the decision has been made, so they will go ahead with it. The Asia Cup is to be held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan in September. Zaka Ashraf’s change of heart Zaka Ashraf said as quoted by Sports Inside, “In my personal opinion, this whole hybrid model is not beneficial for Pakistan and I did not like it. Being a host, Pakistan should have negotiated better to ensure that the entire tournament is played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka is taking a large number of matches and Pakistan has only four matches, which is not in our country's interest." Zaka Ashraf said that since the decision has been taken, they will have to abide by it. “I don't have any intention of non-compliance. I can't do anything about it now other than honouring the commitment. But going forward, whatever decision we take will be in the interest of the country." Earlier, Zaka Ashraf had also said in a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday that he rejects the hybrid model of Asia Cup 2023 because he does not agree with it. He had also claimed that the board of the Asian Cricket Council had decided that the tournament should be held in India. Asia Cup 2023: Good news for Indian fans There’s also good news for the Indian fans ahead of the Asia Cup 2023. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah will most probably feature in the three-match T20 series against Ireland in August. Bumrah, who has not played since a T20I game against Australia in September last year, is recovering well from injury and could be at his peak fitness when he returns to the team. Bumrah has been under the supervision of National Cricket Academy President VVS Laxman and Head Sports Science and Medicine Department Nitin Patel. This year, Bumrah attempted to make a comeback for the home series against Sri Lanka in January, but ongoing back problems derailed his plans, leaving him with no option but to undergo surgery a few months later.

Asia Cup 2023 Venue: Reports claim Zaka Ashraf takes U-turn on hybrid model

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) recently announced that the next edition of the Asia Cup will be hosted in a hybrid model, which was originally proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The Asia Cup logjam may now have been broken but uncertainty still seems to be looming large over Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup, scheduled to be played in India later this year. Despite PCB’s hybrid model being accepted by ACC, it is still not clear whether Pakistan will travel to its neighbouring nation to take part in the 50-over World Cup. It is understood that PCB was reluctant after Ahmedabad’s name started doing the rounds as a potential venue for the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash. Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has now opened up on the highly contentious matter. Taking a dig at the cricket board, the former all-rounder slammed PCB’s denial to play at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

<h2>What did Shahid Afridi say?</h2>

“Why are they declining to play on Ahmedabad pitches? Does it hurl fire or is it haunted? Go and play - go, play and win. If these are the foreseen challenges, then the only way to overcome them is through a comprehensive victory. What matters at the end of the day is the Pakistan team's win. The crux only and only lies in there. Take this rather positively. If they [India] are comfortable there, you should go, pull a victory in front of packed Indian crowd and show them what you got," Shahid Afridi reportedly said while speaking on Samaa TV.

<h2>World Cup 2023: &nbsp;India vs Pakistan possible venue</h2>

According to multiple reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent a final draft of the World Cup schedule. The electrifying India-Pakistan World Cup fixture will reportedly take place on October 15. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has, however, not announced the official schedule yet.

India and Pakistan, the two arch-rivals, had last faced at a 50-over World Cup in 2019. The rain-curtailed game, which took place in Manchester, ended in India’s favour. Chasing a revised target of 302 in 40 overs, Pakistan could only manage to reach 212. Rohit Sharma was adjudged Man of the Match in that fixture for pulling off a sublime knock of 140.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) recently announced that the next edition of the Asia Cup will be hosted in a hybrid model, which was originally proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) recently announced that the next edition of the Asia Cup will be hosted in a hybrid model, which was originally proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The Asia Cup logjam may now have been broken but uncertainty still seems to be looming large over Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup, scheduled to be played in India later this year. Despite PCB’s hybrid model being accepted by ACC, it is still not clear whether Pakistan will travel to its neighbouring nation to take part in the 50-over World Cup. It is understood that PCB was reluctant after Ahmedabad’s name started doing the rounds as a potential venue for the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash. Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has now opened up on the highly contentious matter. Taking a dig at the cricket board, the former all-rounder slammed PCB’s denial to play at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. What did Shahid Afridi say? “Why are they declining to play on Ahmedabad pitches? Does it hurl fire or is it haunted? Go and play - go, play and win. If these are the foreseen challenges, then the only way to overcome them is through a comprehensive victory. What matters at the end of the day is the Pakistan team's win. The crux only and only lies in there. Take this rather positively. If they [India] are comfortable there, you should go, pull a victory in front of packed Indian crowd and show them what you got," Shahid Afridi reportedly said while speaking on Samaa TV. World Cup 2023: India vs Pakistan possible venue According to multiple reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent a final draft of the World Cup schedule. The electrifying India-Pakistan World Cup fixture will reportedly take place on October 15. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has, however, not announced the official schedule yet. India and Pakistan, the two arch-rivals, had last faced at a 50-over World Cup in 2019. The rain-curtailed game, which took place in Manchester, ended in India’s favour. Chasing a revised target of 302 in 40 overs, Pakistan could only manage to reach 212. Rohit Sharma was adjudged Man of the Match in that fixture for pulling off a sublime knock of 140.

Shahid Afridi's bold statement on the India-Pakistan World Cup venue

The Asia Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed the schedule for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 with the hybrid model in place for the tournament. As things stand after the official confirmation, Pakistan despite being the host, will host only four matches, while Sri Lanka will host nine matches including the final if India qualify. The Asia Cup will start on August 31, with the final taking place on September 17 and will be played in the ODI format before the World Cup in India.

<h2>India vs Pakistan to take place in Sri Lanka</h2>

While the detailed schedule of the Asia Cup is yet to be finalised including the venues and key dates for the key fixtures, the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan will take place in Sri Lanka. The two teams will meet in the group stage where Nepal will be the other team. The two teams are again likely to meet in the Super Four stage if they secure qualification for the next round. That fixture too will be played in Sri Lanka as India have confirmed they won’t be travelling to Pakistan due to the poor diplomatic relations between the nations.

If the two teams, India and Pakistan, make it to the final of the Asia Cup then the final will also take place in Sri Lanka.

On the flip side, Pakistan will play all its matches on their home turf except the India clash that will take place in Sri Lanka. Babar Azam’s side will also play their Super Four matches except the India one in Pakistan.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashes-2023-1st-test-england-vs-australia-preview-and-result-prediction-604796">Ashes 2023, 1st Test, England vs Australia - Preview and Result Prediction</a>

<h2>What is the format for Asia Cup?</h2>

The entire tournament will be played in the ODI format rather than the T20I format which was in use for the Asia Cup 2022 to help the teams prepare for the ODI World Cup in India. As things stand, the 2022 format will be in use where six teams have been divided into two groups and will play round-robin clashes.

The group winners and runners-up will play in the Super Four stage where the teams will again meet in the round-robin format. Two teams topping the group after the Super Four stage will play in the final on September 17.

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The Asia Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed the schedule for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 with the hybrid model in place for the tournament. As things stand after the official confirmation, Pakistan despite being the host, will host only four matches, while Sri Lanka will host nine matches including the final if India qualify.

The Asia Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed the schedule for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 with the hybrid model in place for the tournament. As things stand after the official confirmation, Pakistan despite being the host, will host only four matches, while Sri Lanka will host nine matches including the final if India qualify. The Asia Cup will start on August 31, with the final taking place on September 17 and will be played in the ODI format before the World Cup in India. India vs Pakistan to take place in Sri Lanka While the detailed schedule of the Asia Cup is yet to be finalised including the venues and key dates for the key fixtures, the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan will take place in Sri Lanka. The two teams will meet in the group stage where Nepal will be the other team. The two teams are again likely to meet in the Super Four stage if they secure qualification for the next round. That fixture too will be played in Sri Lanka as India have confirmed they won’t be travelling to Pakistan due to the poor diplomatic relations between the nations. If the two teams, India and Pakistan, make it to the final of the Asia Cup then the final will also take place in Sri Lanka. On the flip side, Pakistan will play all its matches on their home turf except the India clash that will take place in Sri Lanka. Babar Azam’s side will also play their Super Four matches except the India one in Pakistan. ALSO READ | Ashes 2023, 1st Test, England vs Australia - Preview and Result Prediction What is the format for Asia Cup? The entire tournament will be played in the ODI format rather than the T20I format which was in use for the Asia Cup 2022 to help the teams prepare for the ODI World Cup in India. As things stand, the 2022 format will be in use where six teams have been divided into two groups and will play round-robin clashes. The group winners and runners-up will play in the Super Four stage where the teams will again meet in the round-robin format. Two teams topping the group after the Super Four stage will play in the final on September 17. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Asia Cup 2023: ACC confirms hybrid model for continental showpiece, Pakistan to host four matches