As of now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is officially yet to decide regarding their participation in the Asia Cup 2020 which is scheduled in Pakistan. While Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is doing best while concurrently hosting their neighbours Bangladesh for the ongoing T20I series.
Earlier, there were reports that Pakistan has given up the T20 Asia Cup hosting rights to Bangladesh as they agreed to tour Pakistan soil to play full-fledged series.
However, Chief Executive of the PCB, Wasim Khan has quashed these rumours. He also revealed that the association is also considering another option to host the Asia Cup.
“It is not the prerogative of the PCB or the ICC to change the host as it was the decision of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC),” Wasim was quoted as saying by The Dawn.
PCB to Boycott T20 World Cup 2021, If India Refuse to play Asia Cup 2020 in Pakistan:
Wasim maintained if India won’t make it to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2020, then they would also refuse to partake in the T20 World Cup 2021 which is scheduled in India.
“We are currently considering two venues to host the Asia Cup. If India doesn’t come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, we would also refuse participation in the 2021 T20 World Cup there,” added Khan.
Reports also suggested that BCCI’s rigidness to not participate in the Asia cup has resulted in Pakistan losing the hosting rights for the T20 Asia Cup 2020.
Meanwhile, Asia Cup is scheduled to be played in September 2020. Thus, it will be a good platform for India for the preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup which is slated for October in Australia. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia are the five Asian countries that will participate in the T20 Asia Cup 2020.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is currently leading Bangladesh 2-0 in the three-match T20Is. They won both their T20Is at Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.