PCB CEO Wasim Khan, in an interview on Youtube channel Cricket Baaz, expressed his concern of Pakistan’s participation in the 2021 and 2023 ICC events – T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup respectively – considering the Indo-Pak political relations. He has, hence, as the BCCI to give them a written guarantee.
“We are also looking at the fact that the ICC World Cups are to be hosted in India in 2021 and 2023 and we have already asked the ICC to give us written assurances from BCCI that we will not face any problems getting visas and clearance to play in India,” Wasim said.
“The big question now is when the World T20 is held in 2021 will it be hosted by Australia or India as India has the hosting rights for the already scheduled World T20 Cup in 2021,” he said.
The cricketing spectrum is set to see three World Cups take place for consecutive years, with this year’s T20 World cup likely to be postponed to 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The way things are, the gap available in 2022 will be used to accommodate the 2020 World T20 if it is not held this year.”
As things stand at present, Pakistan could face visa-related issues for participation in the ICC events that will be hosted in India. With that being said, PCB is hopeful that ICC will help them in getting the required assurances from BCCI over security and travel arrangements for its players and staff.
