An official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will not boycott Asia Cup even if the hybrid model is rejected, Indian media reported.
In order to have Asia Cup in Pakistan, the PCB had proposed hybrid model according to which first four matches will be played in Pakistan followed by the event shifting to a neutral venue for remaining matches including all India matches and the final.
However, BCCI is not willing to accept the hybrid model and has been influencing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) member boards to reject it too.
Following BCCI's stance, PCB might be looking to boycott the event as playing at a neutral venue would affect its efforts with regards to the return of international cricket in the country.
But, a BCCI official told an Indian media outlet that boycott is not an option for PCB.
"Those are just immediate reactions. PCB very well knows what position they are in and any money that comes through is important for them. I don’t think Pakistan can boycott. They will play in Asia Cup and World Cup. For the moment, they are trying whatever they can to keep it but it’s not going to happen," the official said.
“We will know next week as there will be an ACC meeting in Dubai after WTC. There are some concerns that need addressing and after that we will have the schedule for Asia Cup,” the official added.
The same report claimed that PCB has also sent an SOS to the International Cricket Council (ICC), asking the world body to intervene in the Asia Cup matter.