Pakistan Cricket Board President Najam Sethi reacts to the Hyrbid model planned for Asia Cup

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi expressed his delight that the hybrid format has been approved for the 2023 Asia Cup on Thursday after the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced it. He also noted that ardent fans would have loved to see the Indian cricket team play in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years. The ACC on Thursday unveiled a hybrid schedule for the next Asia Cup 2023, with Pakistan slated to host four of the tournament's 13 games while Sri Lanka would host the other nine. 

Najam Sethi spoke in a video released after the venue and dates of the Asia Cup. He said, "I am elated that our hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup 2023 has been accepted. This means the PCB will remain as the event host and stage matches in Pakistan with Sri Lanka as the neutral venue, which was required due to the Indian cricket team's inability to travel to Pakistan."

Our passionate fans would have loved to see the India cricket team : Najam Sethi

The Pakistan Cricket Board President then further spoke about how the Indian team might have been loved by the Pakistan fans if they would have come. He said, "Our passionate fans would have loved to see the India cricket team in action in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, but we understand the BCCI's position. Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders."

There will be 13 thrilling ODI matches between India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal from August 31 to September 17, 2023.Two teams from each of the competition's two groups will advance to the Super Four stage, according to an official statement from the ACC that also provided the competition's dates and grouping information. The final will then include the top two teams in the Super Four stage. The Super Four final is then played on September 17 between the top two clubs. 

One group consists of India, Pakistan, and Nepal; the other is made up of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka is the reigning champion after defeating Pakistan in the final match last year in the United Arab Emirates.