Najam Sethi takes a dig at BCCI secretary Jay Shah

Sethi pointed out the adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka, which have already caused delays in the Asia Cup 2023 schedule

PHOTO: PCB

Former Chairman PCB management committee, Najam Sethi, has taken to his social media platform "X" to express his displeasure over the selection of venues for the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 matches.

In a series of tweets, Sethi pointed out the adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka, which have already caused delays in the Asia Cup 2023 schedule.

He disclosed that he had strongly urged the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to play the remaining matches of the Asia Cup in the UAE instead of Sri Lanka, as part of the hybrid model proposed by him during his tenure.

“I pleaded for three approvals in various meetings with Jay Shah and ACC colleagues: Play all matches in Pakistan as international cricket had fully returned to Pakistan. When this was shot down I proposed that we play five matches in Pakistan and eight in the UAE. This also they rejected and hinted at giving the Asia Cup hosting rights to Sri Lanka if we didn’t budge,” Sethi said.

“Finally, after we said we might not participate, they scheduled four matches in Pakistan and posted the rest in Sri Lanka. We repeatedly pointed out that the rains forecast in SL would adversely impact match results and diminish crowds at stadiums. We also argued that gate receipts from UAE stadiums would be many times more than those in SL given economic considerations,” he added.

“When Mr Shah didn’t agree, a high level delegation of the Emirates Cricket Board flew to Mumbai to persuade BCCI to play the Asia Cup in UAE as in the past when two IPLs and one ACC ODI event was played there in the same weather conditions. BCCI refused to accept their request. Only Mr Shah can explain why these options were rejected and why Sri Lanka was accommodated against all reason, logic, and rationality. The choice of venues in Sri Lanka was also problematic as we have seen,” he concluded.

I pleaded for three approvals in various meetings with Jay Shah and ACC colleagues:
Play all matches in Pakistan as international cricket had fully returned to Pakistan.
When this was shot down
I proposed that we play five matches in Pakistan and eight in the UAE.
This also they…
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) September 4, 2023

The Asia Cup 2023 is undergoing a significant change in its schedule as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is set to relocate six Super 4 matches from their originally planned location in Colombo to Hambantota. This decision stems from the anticipation of an extended period of rainfall in Colombo during the scheduled match dates.

The ACC is expected to announce this decision soon after closely monitoring weather forecasts, which indicated a high likelihood of rain disruptions in Colombo. Among these relocated matches is the highly anticipated clash between Pakistan and India, which will now take place in Hambantota on September 10.

It's worth noting that this decision comes amidst criticism directed at the ACC for scheduling Asia Cup matches in Sri Lanka during a period known for its consistent rainfall.

Super 4 matches to be shifted are as follows: