The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is making preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup, but this time Pakistan may not be part of the tournament, as reported by The Telegraph India.

Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and ACC chairman, has clearly communicated to the other member nations that they will not accept the proposed “hybrid model” suggested by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Shah recently held discussions with the heads of member nations and put forward a proposal to host the tournament at a single venue, specifically Sri Lanka.

Under the PCB’s hybrid model, the initial four matches of the group stage in the primary phase would be played in Pakistan, while the subsequent phase, including matches involving India and the finals, would take place at a neutral venue. In this scenario, Pakistan would play their group stage match against Nepal on their home ground. Similarly, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan would also play their pool matches in Pakistan. The PCB had identified Dubai as a preferred neutral location within this hybrid framework.

According to the report, Pakistan will be informed during the next executive board meeting of the ACC that all other participating nations have agreed to play in Sri Lanka.

As the designated hosts, the PCB will have to comply and play in Sri Lanka or withdraw from the tournament. In that case, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will be the four participating teams, with the inclusion of a fifth team yet to be decided.

India’s refusal to tour Pakistan and the rejection of the hybrid model may put pressure on Pakistan to contemplate pulling out of the World Cup. The PCB has reportedly informed ICC officials that their participation in the World Cup depends on government clearance.