ACC set to move Asia Cup out of Pakistan after members reject PCB's hybrid model
Sri Lanka may host tournament
New Delhi, May 8: In a huge setback to Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Monday decided to move the Asia Cup out of the country after PCB's proposal to host the tournament on a 'hybrid model' was rejected by the member nations.
Sri Lanka has emerged as a front runner to host the six-nation tournament as extremely humid conditions in the UAE in the month of September could lead to injuries to players.
It will be interesting to see if Pakistan, after this snub, competes in the tournament, scheduled to be held from September 2-17.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to propose an alternative after BCCI refused to send the Indian team to the neighbouring nation due to diplomatic tension between the two countries.
The PCB is hopeful that there will be another round of discussions on Tuesday in case there is a change of heart.
PCB had proposed that India play their games in the UAE while Pakistan host their matches on home soil.
"Najam Sethi (PCB chairman) was in Dubai today to procure support but to his horror there were no takers for his proposal of Pakistan playing its games in Karachi or Lahore and India playing in UAE. Sri Lanka was always with BCCI and now even Bangladesh Cricket Board seemed opposed to the idea," an ACC source told PTI.
"ACC has always maintained that in principle the 'hybrid model' is unacceptable and the budgetary sanctions can never be passed."
"Also it's not about Pakistan hosting its own matches. It also means that if India and Pakistan are in same group, the third team will be travelling to and fro between Dubai and a city in Pakistan," the source added.
What added fuel to the fire is PCB's recent decision to host Pakistan Super League's matches in UAE due to escalated costs of security arrangements.
"Also logistically, the broadcasters wouldn't want to send separate units in two countries. Sri Lanka, just like UAE doesn't require inter-city flights whether you play at the Khettarama (Premadasa Stadium), SSC or Galle or Kandy," he added.
However the ACC chairman Jay Shah will need to convene an Executive Body meeting to make the decision official.
In the prevailing situation, whether Pakistan participates in the event or decides against coming to India for the World Cup remains to be seen.
"Even ICC won't agree to Pakistan playing its matches outside India (during World Cup). So let's see what PCB decides," the source added.
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Governor assents to Karnataka SC Sub-Classification Bill; Recruitment process to begin soon
Bengaluru: Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has given assent to the ‘Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Bill-2025’, which had been pending for several days. With this, the process of recruitment to various government posts is expected to begin soon.
The Bill had earlier been kept pending by the Governor due to differences and concerns raised over the distribution of internal reservation among sub-groups within the Scheduled Castes.
In the meantime, a delegation led by Social Welfare Minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa, along with ministers K.H. Muniyappa, Dr G. Parameshwara, R.B. Thimmapur, Priyank Kharge and Satish Jarkiholi, met the Governor and requested him to grant assent to the Bill.
During the discussions, they also referred to the protests by job aspirants in Dharwad demanding that recruitment be initiated. Following this, the Governor signed the ‘Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Bill-2025’. The government is now likely to commence recruitment procedures shortly.
The Bill relating to internal reservation among Scheduled Castes was introduced and passed on December 19 during the winter session held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. It was then sent to the Governor for assent.
Earlier, the Governor had returned the Bill to the government seeking clarifications, which temporarily delayed the implementation of internal reservation.
As per the recommendations of the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission, quota distribution has been fixed at 6 per cent for Left-Hand sub-groups, 6 per cent for Right-Hand sub-groups, and 5 per cent for other sub-groups including Koracha, Lambani and Bhovi.
