‘I cannot do much about it’ – PCB chief Zaka Ashraf softens stance after calling out Asia Cup’s hybrid model

Zaka Ashraf. (Photo Source: Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were involved in a fresh controversy after incoming chief Zaka Ashraf publically called out the decision of a ‘hybrid model’ for Asia Cup 2023. However, Najam Sethi’s successor has mitigated his stance on the hosting plans for the continental tournament since his comments caused an uproar in the media. 

The recently appointed PCB chief Zaka Ashraf made his discontentment regarding the Asia Cup’s hybrid model public on Wednesday. He felt that the decision to host the majority of the matches outside Pakistan, the original host of the tournament, was not in the best interest of the country. 

“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 was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. 

Every decision we make will be made for and in the interest of the country: Zaka Ashraf

He reserved harsh words for his predecessor for not negotiating a better plan for the upcoming tournament, as Pakistan were allocated only four matches, while Sri Lanka got nine matches. However, the PCB supremo has had a change of heart since his outburst, revealing that he won’t interfere with the decisions made regarding Asia Cup 2023.

“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,” Ashraf remarked in his latest comments.