Wasim Khan And PCB Ready To Play The Waiting Game Before Taking A Call On The England vs Pakistan Series

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Officer Wasim Khan has revealed that the board will not be rushing into its decision on whether the England vs Pakistan series should go ahead later this summer or not. Pakistan is scheduled to tour England for a series of three ICC Test Championship Test matches followed by three Twenty20 Internationals in July but with the situation in the UK not really improving with regards to COVID-19, Khan said that they’ll wait for a few more weeks before zeroing on the decision.

Professional cricket is suspended in the United Kingdom by the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB] till July 01 but with the government declaring that it will allow a few sports to resume behind closed doors after the current lockdown is over, ECB is hopeful that the six Test matches [against West Indies and Pakistan] will take place in bio-secure environments at Old Trafford and the Ageas Bowl.

“Health and safety is paramount for our players and officials and we are not going to compromise on it. The situation in England is poor right now, and we will ask them about their plans. We are not making any decisions, but we will assess and decide in next three to four weeks,” PCB’s Wasim Khan told reporters as quoted by India Today.

He added: “This isn’t an easy situation, and it isn’t an easy decision to make, because things are changing every day in England. There are so many things to be considered – flights, hotels and they are talking about bio-security stadiums … so if people ask me, I will tell them to wait and be patient.”

Also Read: ECB Working Closely With The Government To Resume Cricket Amid COVID-19 Crisis

“Unfair to take advantage..” Wasim Khan on reports that PCB mulling over a counter-offer to the ECB

With the West Indies opting out of the series against due to COVID-19 pandemic, the ECB and its Pakistani counterparts are set to hold a video conference on May 18 to discuss the possibility of holding a five-match Test series. There have been reports doing the rounds in the media that PCB will only agree for a five-match series if England accepts to tour Pakistan next year.

Khan, however, has refuted the reports, saying that it is not fair to take advantage of the current situation.

“It’s a tough situation for everyone right now, and I don’t think it’s fair to take advantage of the situation,” Wasim Khan clarified.

He added: “The most important thing for us is to revive the game for all countries. If we don’t, we will be facing a lot of problems going forward. The next 12 months will be tough for cricket financially … thankfully, the PCB is fine for the next 12 months but thereafter, in 18 months’ time, we will also have problems. Hopefully, by then, cricket will resume.”

Pakistan is originally scheduled to tour the English isles for a series of three Tests and as many T20Is, starting July 30.

Also Read: PCB To Confirm England Tour Only If ECB Agrees To Visit Pakistan In 2021