ICC Seeks Assurance from PCB Regarding ODI World Cup Participation Amid Asia Cup Dispute. The recent development arises in response to PCB chief Najam Sethi’s firm stance that the team will not travel to India for the World Cup unless the Rohit Sharma-led side visits Pakistan for the preceding Asia Cup.

The chairman and CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC) have arrived in Lahore to obtain guarantees from the PCB regarding their commitment to traditional match formats in the ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place in India later this year. Insiders have confirmed that ICC chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice have specifically come to Lahore to seek assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the national team’s participation in the World Cup, set to be held in October-November.

This development follows PCB chief Najam Sethi’s clear statement that if the Rohit Sharma-led team does not visit Pakistan for the preceding Asia Cup, the team will not travel to India for the World Cup. The ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the hosts of the World Cup, are concerned about the proposed hybrid model being advocated by Najam Sethi, who heads the cricket management committee of the PCB.

“While Sethi has suggested the hybrid model for the Asia Cup, the concern remains that once accepted for the regional event, the PCB might request the ICC to implement it for the World Cup when Pakistan plays in India,” explained a source.

Sethi has already indicated that if the Pakistani government does not provide clearance or has security concerns about sending the team to India, the PCB could request the ICC to hold Pakistan’s matches at a neutral venue.

“Both the ICC and the BCCI naturally want to avoid such a situation, as Pakistan’s participation in matches in India is crucial for the success of Indo-Pakistan matches and the tournament itself,” said another source. BCCI secretary Jay Shah is still hesitant to accept the hybrid model for the Asia Cup and instead supports holding three or four matches of the tournament in Pakistan and the remaining games in the UAE or Sri Lanka.

Pakistan is the designated host for the Asia Cup, and Sethi has repeatedly stated that if the tournament is moved to a neutral country instead of Pakistan, the team will not participate. He has also hinted that if Pakistan does not get to host some Asia Cup matches, it could have negative implications for the World Cup as well.

“The ICC officials are working as intermediaries between the PCB and BCCI to resolve the outstanding issues related to the Asia Cup and World Cup,” a statement said.

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