Wasim Khan Said The PCB Is Hoping To Hold The Asia Cup T20 Tournament In The UAE As Scheduled In September:
The IPL which is currently postponed indefinitely due to coronavirus was scheduled to start on March 29th. But it was postponed. The Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan has said, we will object if any change in the schedule of Asia Cup to accommodate the IPL. Khan said the PCB hopes to conduct the Asia Cup T20 tournament in the UAE as planned in September unless there are COVID-19 pandemic-related problems.
“Our stance is completely straightforward, the Asia Cup is set for September, so the only excuse it shouldn’t occur is ongoing public protection concerns. We are not going to consider shifting the Asia Cup to suit the IPL, “Khan added.
“I heard there’s talk about conducting the Asia Cup to November-December but that does not feel realistic for us. You’re trying to compensate for one member nation if you move the Asia Cup and that’s not correct because it won’t have our support, “he said.
Khan said Pakistan is scheduled to tour for Zimbabwe in this November-December and then visit New Zealand, so hosting the Asian Cup during this time is not a choice for them.
The IPL was temporarily delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there is hope that if the condition changes, it may be conducted later this year.
Khan said the representative of the BCCI did not discuss the question of the IPL window at a virtual meeting of ICC chief executives on Thursday, where he participated as the representative of the PCB. Khan said that at the meeting, Cricket Australia told other boards that it was evaluating all options, but there was no decision to shift the T20 World Cup to another date or country.
The T20 World Cup Might Be Played Behind Closed Doors:
“The T20 World Cup will be played behind closed doors, and any board can lose between $15 million and $20 million if we don’t play T20 World Cup,” the PCB official said.
He said Cricket Australia told the ICC that the T20 World Cup will be played in Australia, but after taking away the traveling and social distancing restrictions from its leadership, it will update the world body next month.
He said on the World Test Competitions, “The WTC has been discussed because some countries want it to be removed, others have not agreed and no conclusion has been made.
“But it was decided to wait for the next two or three months to see what’s going on before agreeing on the World Test Championship,” Khan said Pakistan was not averse to re-establishing cricket behind closed doors, but only if players to officials were assured protection. He said PCB would take government instructions on the subject.
“They need to properly examine and track the situation before any decision is made to restart cricket activities. We’re happy to play as long as it’s healthy for players and officials for the sake of the game.
“We need to persuade them it’s safe.”
