Pakistan in serious contention to host Champions Trophy 2021

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed world cricket body International Cricket Council (ICC) to host the matches Champions Trophy in 2021. However, the tax issues are eclipsing India’s chances of hosting the major event.

According to sources, Pakistan intends to host the majority of matches of the multilateral tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while few of the matches in Pakistan.

The ICC found an anomaly over the absence of a tax exemption from the Indian Government for ICC events held in India.

The Board considers the exemptions as a ‘standard practice’ for any premier sporting event of the magnitude of the Champions Trophy.

ICC is currently looking at possible venues in similar time zones. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka become the other alternatives.

Pakistan, on the other hand, sensed an opportunity and proposed an offer which the ICC is pondering seriously.

Further, BCCI in jeopardy to lose the hosting rights of ICC World Cup 2023.

After the terrorist attacks on Sri Lankans back in 2009, the country had to wait eight years to host a prominent international match at home.

Pakistan hosted the World XI side to play three matches at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, in their bid for the revival of International cricket at home.

Pakistan- current holders of Champions Trophy

The lynchpin of the movement, Najam Sethi, convinced ICC to send the World XI side after hosting the finals of Pakistan Super League at Lahore. This time around, Karachi is also scheduled to host few matches of PSL this season. Pakistan is the current holders of the Champions Trophy title.

“The Board expressed their concern around the absence of a tax exemption from the Indian Government for ICC events held in India despite ongoing efforts from both the ICC and BCCI to secure the exemption which is standard practice for major sporting events around the world,” said the press release.

 

“The Board agreed that ICC management, supported by the BCCI will continue the dialogue with the Indian Government but in the meantime directed ICC management to explore alternative host countries in a similar time zone for the ICC Champions Trophy 2021,” further stated the release.

“The new model will see Ireland and Afghanistan each receiving a percentage of the projected surplus, amounting under current projections to approximately $40m each over the course of the current eight-year commercial rights cycle,” concluded the statement from ICC.

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