Ehsan Mani
Ehsan Mani (Credits: Getty)

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani on Wednesday hinted that the country might give up its hosting rights for the Asia Cup T20 tournament this year. Pakistan do have the hosting rights for the competition but if they go ahead and stage the competition, India are unlikely to participate in it because of the poor bilateral relation between the two countries.

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 last February. Thus it is not at all surprising that India would not visit Pakistan if the latter host the Asia Cup this year.

Asia Cup
India are the defending champions of Asia Cup (Credits: AP)

But it looks like Pakistan have finally given up on their hopes of hosting the competition. Speaking at the launch of the Pakistan Super League trophy, Ehsan Mani said that venue of the Asia Cup would be decided after taking into account the majority view of all the stake-holders in the Asian Cricket Council.

“We have to ensure that earnings of the associate members are not affected. It is not so much about the full members but about the associate members,” Ehsan Mani said.

Read More  RR vs DC Match Preview- IPL 2024, Match 9

Before Ehsan Mani, PCB CEO Wasim Khan had also indicated that Pakistan would be willing to forego its hosting rights if it can’t hold the full tournament at home. He said most a neutral venue acceptable to all teams would be finalised.

The ACC is due to meet in first week of March where Ehsan Mani said venues and other details of the Asia Cup would be finalised.