Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan has squashed any reports regarding the scrapping of the Asia Cup which have been surfacing in the recent past. Khan has clarified that the Asia Cup will be hosted by either Sri Lanka or UAE in September or October depending on the circumstances.
It was recently reported that Board of Control for Cricket in India will look to host the Indian Premier League in place of the Asia Cup. The Indian board will aim to stage the glamorous IPL in September-October window if the T20 World Cup is deferred by the International Cricket Council.
Asia Cup will played in September or October
Earlier, BCCI had refused to travel to Pakistan, who were the initial host of the tournament, due to the political tension between the two countries. In fact, PCB chairman Ehsan Mani had also recently stated that the Pakistan board will not agree to accommodate the IPL in place of the Asia Cup.
“The Asia Cup will go ahead. The Pakistan team returns from England on 2nd September so we can have the tournament in September or October,” Wasim Khan said during a media conference in Karachi.
“There are some things which will only get clear in the due course of time. We are hopeful of having the Asia Cup because Sri Lanka has not had too many cases of the coronavirus. If they can’t do it, then UAE is also ready,” he added.
If the T20 World Cup is postponed, PCB is exploring other options to play bilateral series with other countries. Pakistan will host Zimbabwe and then they will travel to New Zealand in December.
“We are to go to New Zealand in December after hosting Zimbabwe at home. South Africa are ready to tour in January-February to play two or three Tests and some T20 matches,” he revealed.
Wasim Khan also added that it is not possible to organise a bilateral series against India, due to the political differences between the two countries and it is better if they forget about it for the time being.
On the other hand, Wasim Khan has also confirmed that the England tour will go on as planned despite 10 players getting tested positive before travelling. The players who are tested negative will leave for England on June 28.
