Najam Sethi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) management committee, said Pakistan will go to India to play ICC World Cup if the hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023 is accepted.
In another interview with an Indian media outlet, Sethi said the political situation will settle down in Pakistan by September (Asia Cup window).
"Our government can also put allegations on India for provoking terrorism. Both countries have fought against terrorism. After the attack on Sri Lankan team in 2009, things have changed a lot in Pakistan," he reiterated.
"Riots also happened in Dehli and it can happen anywhere. It doesn't mean that the city has become unsafe. When Imran Khan [former Prime Minister] was on the roads for protest, the New Zealand team was playing in Pakistan. We have been hosting international cricket for the last four years. There is no problem at all," he added.
Sethi was the first person who influenced the revival of international cricket in Pakistan back in 2015. Under his presence, Zimbabwe toured Lahore in 2015 followed by the star-studded Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in 2017 in Lahore when he was the PCB chairman.
Since then, international stars and teams toured Pakistan for PSL and bilateral series quite often. Recently, Pakistan hosted top cricket teams such as Australia, England, and New Zealand.
Sethi ensured that Pakistan will play ICC World Cup in India if Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) accepts hybrid model for the Asia Cup.
"We are ready to play WC in India if our Asia Cup hybrid model is accepted," the PCB boss stated.
"I think the decision should now be taken as quickly as possible. I think we have compromised a lot, the hybrid model is the best solution. We will mutually decide on the neutral venue if the hybrid model is accepted," Sethi concluded.
As reported by Geo News citing sources, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is most likely to call a meeting this week to discuss on PCB-proposed hybrid model for hosting the Asian event.
PCB has offered two options in the hybrid model. In first option, India will play their matches at a neutral venue whereas all other matches will be played in Pakistan. In another option, four matches of the group stage in the first phase will take place in Pakistan whereas second phase, in which matches of Indian team followed by the next stage matches including the final, will be played at a neutral venue.