Pakistan threatens to skip T20 World Cup if India skips Asia Cup

Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan has said that no deal has been made with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding the hosting of Asia Cup.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• PCB's chief Wasim Khan has said his team would not participate in T20 World Cup in India if it skips Asia Cup.
• Khan also dismissed reports that PCB gave up Asia Cup hosting rights in exchange for Bangladesh sending its team to Pakistan.
• The T20 World Cup is slated to be played in India in 2021 while Pakistan is scheduled to host Asia Cup later this year.

 

Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan has said that no deal has been made with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding the hosting of Asia Cup. He also said that the team would not participate in the T20 World Cup 2021 if India refused to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

Earlier this month, when BCB agreed to play a series in Pakistan, it was reported that a deal was struck between the boards that Bangladesh would be hosting the Asia Cup in place of Pakistan.

He dismissed reports that PCB had given up Asia Cup hosting rights to BCB in exchange for Bangladesh sending its team to Pakistan. 

"It is not the prerogative of the PCB or the ICC to change the host as it was the decision of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)," Dawn quoted Wasim as saying. "We are currently considering two venues to host the Asia Cup. If India doesn't come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, we would also refuse participation in the 2021 T20 World Cup there," he added.

The T20 World Cup 2021 is slated to be played in India. While the Asia Cup is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in September this year.

Khan, however, conceded that due to issues with India currently two venues are being considered for hosting the Asia Cup. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 while it has also not played a full Test bilateral series with Pakistan since 2007 due to strained political and diplomatic relations. Pakistan did visit India in 2012 to play a short limited-overs series.

Cricket experts say the main hurdle to Pakistan hosting the Asia Cup will be whether India agrees to play in the country due to security issues.

Khan also confirmed that a security delegation from Cricket South Africa would be visiting Pakistan in February to take stock of the security situation as Pakistan has invited the Proteas for a three-match T20 series in Pakistan in March-April after the Pakistan Super League.

Referring to the visit of ICC Chief Executive to Islamabad and Lahore earlier this week, Khan said PCB would try to get hosting rights of at least three ICC events between 2023 and 2031. He also said that Marylebone Cricket Club would be sending its team to Lahore to play four matches and the team would include prominent players such as Moeen Ali, Kumar Sangakara and Ravi Bopara.

 

(With inputs from agencies.)