ICC Should Get Written Visa Assurance From BCCI, Or Move The T20 World Cup Elsewhere: PCB Chief Ehsan Mani

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ehsan Mani has reiterated his stance of getting the written assurances of Indian visas from the BCCI for the Pakistani team. He said that the ICC has assured them it will get a written assurance from the BCCI by next month that all its players, officials, fans, and journalists will be allowed for the World T20 Cup to be held in India.

He also talked about the upcoming Asia Cup tournament which Pakistan had swapped with Sri Lanka. He said that the 2021 edition of the Asia Cup might have to be postponed in case India qualifies for the World Test Championships final.

Either ICC Gets Written Assurance From BCCI For Indian Visas, Or Move The T20 World Cup Elsewhere: Ehsan Mani

“I have informed the board that the BCCI was supposed to give us visa assurances by 31st December but that didn’t happen because their President, Sourav Ganguly was twice hospitalized. But I have now again taken up this matter with the ICC and am in touch with them. I also have another virtual conference with them tomorrow on this issue. The ICC has told us that we will get our written confirmation by the end of next month,” Mani said at a media conference.

To a question about whether the World T20 could be shifted to a neutral venue at this late stage, Mani said granting visas for Pakistani nationals was not the only issue confronting the Indian board. He said the ICC also had a problem with BCCI not getting the tax exemption from the Indian government for the event and the COVID-19 protocols.

“Either we will be going to the World T20 with full protocols or it will have to be moved elsewhere. There is also the problem of tax exemption to the ICC for the event and the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The ICC has already in a contingency planning decided the World T20 can also be moved to UAE if need arose,” he said.

We Would Need To Postpone The Asia Cup In June If India Qualifies For The WTC Final: Ehsan Mani

Furthermore, Ehsan Mani also talked about the Asia Cup which is to be hosted by Sri Lanka in June 2021. He said in case India qualifies for the final of the World Test championship, it would be impossible for the Asia Cup to be held this year as planned due to a clash of dates.

“The way things look most probably the Asia Cup will be postponed until 2023,” he said.

Pakistan was to initially host the Asia Cup but surrendered it to Sri Lanka after problems over India not being able to tour Pakistan for the tournament. India needs at least a draw in the fourth and final Test against England in the ongoing four-Test series to set up a clash with New Zealand in the World Test Championship final.

Also Read: Pakistan Has Got Nothing Against India Hosting The 2021 T20 World Cup: PCB Chief Ehsan Mani