‘Kya natak chal rahe bhai’- Fans react as Pakistan Cricket Board’s new chairman accepts hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023

Zaka Ashraf, the potential new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has accepted Najam Sethi’s much-publicized “hybrid model” for the 2023 Asia Cup, which will be hosted in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in September. Ashraf’s words would have potentially threatened Pakistan’s World Cup participation, and it is likely that the Indian Cricket Board would also play hardball, with no middle ground if they backtrack from what was agreed upon by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members.

Ashraf is one of two nominees for the PCB chairmanship chosen by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the board’s patron-in-chief with the ultimate say on appointment. For the time being, Ashraf’s appointment is only a formality. With the ACC executive body having approved the hybrid concept. The PCB Chairman affirms that the Asia Cup would proceed with the Hybrid Model, as previously decided.

I had rejected the hybrid model: Zaka Ashraf

On Wednesday (June 21), there was a new twist in the saga when Ashraf was quoted as saying in media reports that he had ‘rejected’ the hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023. At a press conference, he said: “In my personal opinion, this whole hybrid model isn’t beneficial for Pakistan, and I didn’t like it. Being a host, Pakistan should have negotiated better to make sure that the entire tournament should have played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka taking the bigger lot of games, leaving Pakistan with only four games, isn’t in the best interest of our country.”

Ashraf, though, later stated a clarification to ESPNcricinfo, “But I see the decision has been made, so we have to go with it. I will not block or have any intention not to comply with the decision. I cannot do much about it but to honour the commitment. But going forward, every decision we make will be made for and in the interest of the country.”

The hybrid format was approved by the ACC, which is led by Indian Cricket Board president Jay Shah after India stated that it will not travel to Pakistan owing to the current geopolitical differences. It was determined that four games would be staged in Pakistan, with the host country playing its group league match versus Nepal, as well as three additional games involving Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

During a media interview, Ashraf expressed his displeasure with the thought of insignificant games being conducted in their nation while they had to host rights.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

Wese Pakistan ne jo hmare desh pe terrorist hmle kiye hai us hisaab se they don't deserve to play against us they should be kicked out of asia cup and world cup terrorist country 😡

— Sarthak (@joelgarson) June 21, 2023

Sari Teams aa chuki hyn Pakistan me to srf Indian team ko kya masla hai?

— Farman Khan (@iamFarman36) June 21, 2023

*point

— 𝑴𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒃𝒐 (@Mogemmbo) June 21, 2023

https://twitter.com/celebrityhero37/status/1671707409834991616?s=20

tbh Pakistan if not plays in Asia Cup is a loss to Asian and Indian Cricket as well,, keeping in mind cricket is a major sport in just 5-6 countries. Pakistan and India having highest no. of fans

— Mahesh (@Mahesh2005C) June 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/ShuhidAufridi/status/1671735493258809345?s=20

Kya Natak Chalrahe Bhai,,kabi Nahi kabhi Ha

— TDP 2024✌️ (@iamjavid111) June 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/imrksk/status/1671737753204314112?s=20