If India Doesn't Come To Pakistan For Asia Cup, Pakistan Would Refuse To Play 2021 T20 World Cup In India: PCB

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan has stated that Pakistan would not shy away from taking bold steps if India do not visit Pakistan this year for the upcoming Asia Cup. The tournament, which is likely to be organised in T20 format, will be held in September ahead of the World T20 in Australia.

As of now, Pakistan are the hosts of the competition. However, there are question marks over Pakistan’s hosting rights because of the poor bilateral relation between them and India. India and Pakistan have not played a full bilateral Test series since 2007 when Pakistan visited India for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals.

They played a short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012, but otherwise, both have faced each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup. India last played on Pakistan soil in 2008. The Mumbai terror attack later that year meant the tour turned out to be India’s last visit to the country. The bilateral ties became worse last year after the Pulwama attack in February.

There were also question marks over the match between the two nations at the World Cup but fortunately it went ahead. However, it is more than unlikely that India would visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup this year. In that case, the venue would have to be shifted.

Recent reports suggested that Bangladesh might host the competition after they agreed to tour Pakistan for the ongoing series. However, Wasim Khan has dismissed reports that Pakistan had given up its hosting rights of the Asia Cup this year.

Pakistan threaten of dire consequences:

Wasim Khan reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the Asia Cup and said that the country is looking forward to hosting the tournament. He also said that if India do not visit Pakistan then the Men in Green would also not visit India next year for the T20 World Cup.

“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),” Wasim Khan told reporters.

“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.

Pakistan had visited India in 2016 for the T20 World Cup but things could get interesting if India refuse to play the Asia Cup this year on the Pakistani soil. And the way things are at the moment, it would not be very surprising if the Indian government do not allow the team to visit Pakistan.