PAKISTAN: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal request for compensation from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) following a last-minute change in the venue for Asia Cup matches, which resulted in a significant loss of gate revenue for the PCB.
While the PCB has not officially commented on the matter, it has been reported that PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf sent a detailed letter to ACC President Jay Shah outlining the PCB’s demand for compensation.
The letter also expresses the PCB’s deep disappointment with the way the scheduling of the matches in Sri Lanka was managed by the ACC.
In his letter to Jay Shah, Ashraf raises questions about the decision-making process within the ACC and who was responsible for making abrupt changes to the venue without consulting other ACC board members.
This demand for compensation underscores the PCB’s concerns about the financial repercussions of the venue switch and its desire for transparency and accountability within the ACC.
The controversy surrounding the venue change revolves around a meeting held between ACC members, including representatives from Sri Lanka and Pakistan, following the India vs. Nepal contest.
In this meeting, it was apparently agreed that, due to favorable weather forecasts, the matches scheduled for Colombo should be moved to Hambantota.
According to Ashraf’s letter, on September 5, both host countries and the ACC reached a consensus to relocate the matches to Hambantota. In response to this decision, Sri Lanka’s head curator was dispatched to prepare the pitches, and preparations by the broadcast crew were initiated for the shift to Hambantota.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn. The Pakistan Cricket Board received an email from the ACC confirming the venue change, only to later be told to disregard that email. Subsequently, it was publicly announced that the matches would proceed as originally scheduled in Kandy and Colombo.
Ashraf expressed his dissatisfaction with the apparent disregard for Pakistan’s input and interests in the decision-making process concerning the tournament and its venues.
The request for compensation from the ACC comes as the PCB grapples with the financial implications of the last-minute venue change. The PCB’s demand for accountability and a thorough investigation into the decision-making process surrounding the Asia Cup adds a layer of complexity to the situation.
Also Read: India Cruises to Victory over Nepal in Asia Cup 2023
