Pakistan Willing To Host An ICC Tournament To Cover Losses Occurred Due To India's Refusal To Play Bilateral Series

With Pakistan successfully hosting two international teams back to back, the board is seeking to host an ICC event too on its own. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants the ICC to give them hosting rights to a significant ICC tournament to cover financial losses endured due to India’s refusal to play bilateral series against them.

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After a hiatus of a decade, Pakistan managed to stage Sri Lanka and Bangladesh without any hindrances in Tests and T20Is. Besides, the Pakistan Super League also took place in which cricketers from all the countries played their part. PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan is firm that the region is prepared to host a competition sometime in 2023.

Khan claimed that there exists little chances for India to agree to play with them in either India or Pakistan in a bilateral series and that they have suffered plenty of monetary losses. Khan understands all the boards are dealing with the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and that they would be looking to limit the damage. He would be discussing upon the future measures when a video conference with the ICC takes place.

“There appears to be little chance of India and Pakistan playing and we have already suffered losses in millions of dollars. There is no doubt that because of the Coronavirus pandemic every board is facing a big challenge to reduce their financial losses as much as they can. We are all in the same boat. We have similar interests. When this conference is held we will be discussing future measures.” Khan said as quoted by India Today.

PCB confident of Pakistan’s capability of handling ICC competitions:

Wasim Khan also expressed his confidence at staging any major tournaments if awarded. The 2011 World Cup, which Pakistan was slated to host initially was also robbed from them due to the terror attacks on the Sri Lankan side in 2009. But the fact that they have successfully hosted two sub-continent teams and keeping the PSL besides stringent security measures, displays their capability.

“I don’t think hosting international cricket is now such a big issue for Pakistan as the security situation has improved now. The fact that we have logistically hosted the entire Pakistan Super League in Pakistan and also teams like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for Test matches besides other smaller events and series shows we are capable of hosting a big ICC event.” he added further.

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