The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started contacting different boards as part of their plan B if Asia Cup is cancelled in September this year, sources told GeoSuper.tv.
According to details, PCB is not willing to host the entire Asia Cup at a neutral venue as forced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
"There are only two options, either play in Pakistan or accept the hybrid model. Hosting the entire tournament outside Pakistan will waste all the efforts of bringing international cricket to the country. It will also affect the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in 2025," sources said.
If Asia Cup gets cancelled or India set-up a five-nation tournament as a replica of the Asian event, then Pakistan will play bilateral or triangular series in a bid to prepare for the ICC World Cup in India.
In this regard, as per sources, PCB has started contacting different boards. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and West Indies are under consideration for the series in the Asia Cup window.
"There are a lot of things going at the back end. PCB has contacted different boards to play the series. Maybe it's South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ireland, or West Indies. It depends on their availability according to the FTP," the source added.
According to the FTP, South Africa and Zimbabwe are the two teams who will be free in the Asia Cup window in September this year. South Africa will host Australia from August 30 to September 17 for three T20Is and five ODIs. After September 17, South Africa will be free till World Cup in India. Zimbabwe also have no scheduled series in September this year. It must be noted here that Zimbabwe will play World Cup qualifiers at their home in June-July.
Australia, New Zealand and England have packed schedules during the Asia Cup window. However, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be busy in the case of India's five-nation tournament.
On the other hand, there are also plans to swap two-match test series from five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka if the Island nation qualifies for the mega event.
Muzamil Asif