Najam Sethi, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, recently disclosed that the next president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will be from Pakistan. Emphasizing the significance of Pakistan’s presence in the ACC, Sethi stated, “ACC is incomplete without Pakistan, and we don’t want to leave it.”
During an interview with foreign media, Sethi expressed his belief that Pakistan’s continued membership in the Asian Cricket Council is dependent on the ACC’s decision. He further stated, “I hope we will continue to be part of the ACC. The majority of ACC’s revenue comes from India and Pakistan. If Pakistan boycotts the Asia Cup, it will create major problems for broadcasters.”
Sethi highlighted the financial implications of the Asia Cup, estimating that approximately $45 million would be earned from the tournament. As a result, he presented a proposal for a hybrid model during a meeting in Bahrain. This model would not only apply to the Asia Cup but also to the 2023 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Addressing concerns about security in Pakistan, Sethi affirmed that there are no security issues in the country. He pointed out that even during times of protests, such as when the New Zealand team visited, the necessary security measures were in place, including presidential-level security for visiting teams. Sethi emphasized that if there were any genuine security concerns, he would be the first to advocate for moving the Asia Cup to a neutral venue.
In conclusion, Najam Sethi reiterated the importance of Pakistan’s participation in the ACC and expressed optimism about their continued involvement. He underlined the viability of the hybrid model not only for the Asia Cup but also for upcoming international cricket tournaments such as the 2023 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
