By Zainab Shafiq 
Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif shared his perspective on the recently announced dates and venues for the 2023 Asia Cup, as unveiled by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday. Latif highlighted the motivations behind Jay Shah, the President of the ACC, and emphasized the challenges faced by Pakistan.
Pakistan wanted to face save, and Jay Shah wanted to win, claims Rashid Latif
Expressing his thoughts, Latif remarked, “Jay Shah desired victory and recognition for his meticulous organization of the tournament as the ACC President. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was also in a critical situation and sought a face-saving solution to overcome their challenges.”
The upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled from August 31st to September 17th, 2023, will follow a hybrid model proposed by the PCB. It entails four matches to be held in Pakistan, while the remaining nine matches are designated for Sri Lanka.
Latif underscored Sri Lanka as a major beneficiary, with a significant number of matches being hosted in the country. This arrangement offers Sri Lanka exposure, revenue, and a platform to showcase its cricketing infrastructure.
He concluded, “Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are all pleased with the outcome. India and Pakistan have achieved their objectives, and Sri Lanka, hosting the majority of the matches, stands to gain. Afghanistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh will receive their respective participation fees, making it a highly favorable event for everyone involved.”
According to the hybrid model, the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore is anticipated to witness matches such as Pakistan versus Nepal, Bangladesh versus Afghanistan, Afghanistan versus Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh.
Also, see:
https://www.homeoft20.com/pakistan-not-in-a-position-to-boycott-asia-cup-says-bcci/