PCB To Bid For Global Cricket Events With UAE From 2023

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have decided to increase their footfall in hosting global cricket events by bidding to host them with UAE from the 2023-31 cycle. Ehsan Mani, the PCB Chairman, is hoping his board will grab at least two mega events in the cycle that runs from 2023 to 2031.

In 2020, the PCB will play host to the Asia Cup, but due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus pandemic it is still uncertain if the tournament will get underway as per schedule.

“We had expressed an interest to host five to six events and, frankly, it is likely we won’t be getting more than one or two. But we also thought out of the box to bid jointly with another country,” Mani said in a PCB podcast.

“I have already begun speaking with the Emirates Cricket Board for a team-up to increase the chances of hosting some of it together but, again, it needs cooperation.

“There are a few events with 16 games and then there are events with 30-40 games, so depending on the scale, the workload can be divided between us.”

Important to host ICC events in Pakistan

Pakistan had hosted the 1987 and 1996 World Cups since becoming an affiliated member of the ICC in 1952. In the recent scenario, BCCI have consistently denied playing in Pakistan, ever since the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. The Indian cricket board in all likelihood is not ready to chance their stance. Ehsan Mani, on the contrary, feels it is important to host events in Pakistan for its development.

“It is very important for Pakistan cricket and its development that some of the ICC events are played in Pakistan,” Ehsan Mani said. 

“We intend to make a very serious expression of our interest on this matter and we will be getting full government support as well.”

The ICC had invited bid members until March 15 for 20 global events that will be held in the 2023-2031 cycle but due to the novel coronavirus pandemic the meetings have been deferred indefinitely.