Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wasim Khan next year’s ICC T20 World Cup could be shifted to the UAE as ‘some element of uncertainty’ remains whether India will be able to host the marquee event because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“There is still some uncertainty over the World T20 being held in India…Yes because of the Covid-19 situation there. It could be in the UAE,” Wasim Khan said in an interview with the Cricket Baaz YouTube channel.
Reiterating that India had planned to host a home series England and also IPL in the first quarter of 2021, Khan said a clear picture would come only by April.
The ICC has handed India the responsibility to host the 2021 ICC T20 WC and Australia will now host the 2022 edition with the 50-over World Cup also scheduled to be held in India.
Khan also reminded that PCB was waiting for a written confirmation from the ICC and the BCCI by January on the issuance of visas to the Pakistan players and support staff for the 2021 T20 WC.
“Yes Mani Sahab (PCB chief Ehsan Mani) has written to them and requested them that given the state of relations between India and Pakistan, it would be best if the ICC and BCCI gives a written assurance about the visas being issued to us,” Khan stated.
Wasim also revealed that the Asian Cricket Council after a conference call, last week, had tentatively set June as the time to host the postponed Asia Cup in Sri Lanka but the dates could be rescheduled if needed.
“The next Asia Cup will be hosted in Sri Lanka in June and we have got hosting rights now for the 2022 Asia Cup,” he disclosed.
Khan admitted although India and Pakistan’s bilateral series is a distant reality, he also hoped that in the future the situation could change as far as cricket relations are concerned between the two nations.
Wasim also stated that it’s ICC’s responsibility to guarantee the participation of all nations in any marquee event.
“But yes bilateral relations are not ideal and that is why we have also asked for the assurances for next year’s World Cup,” he said.