PCB denies deal with BD over hosting Asia Cup

LAHORE: It is “totally incorrect” that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had brought Bangladesh to Pakistan by promising them hosting rights for the Asia Cup later this year, board CEO Wasim Khan has said, adding that it’s for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to figure out what would happen if India refuse to travel for the tournament.

The PCB had earned the Asia Cup hosting rights for the first time in over a decade for the 2020 edition, but at the time of the allotment of the tournament in 2018, it wasn’t clear whether it would take place in Pakistan or in the UAE.

Now, after successfully hosting a number of international series and Pakistan Super League matches — the entire tournament is scheduled to be played at home this year — on their soil, the PCB wants to organise the Asia Cup in Pakistan in September this year too.

But there could be a question mark over India’s participation then — the 2018 edition was supposed to be held in India but was moved to the UAE to ensure Pakistan’s participation in it.

“This is totally incorrect and we haven’t spoken with Bangladesh about the Asia Cup at all,” Wasim told reporters in Lahore when asked if the PCB had used the Asia Cup as a bargaining chip for Bangladesh to travel to Pakistan.

The BCB was initially apprehensive about travelling to Pakistan but, after lengthy negotiations, agreed to play a series of three T20Is, an ODI and two Tests in three parts.

“This is ACC tournament and the hosting rights were allotted to us by them, and we can’t change it,” Khan said. “It’s in our mind and it’s our wish to host the Asia Cup in Pakistan.”

When asked about India’s participation in the Asia Cup later this year, keeping in mind the strained political relationship between the two countries, Wasim suggested that the ACC would take the final call and that Pakistan would try to work out a plan including holding the tournament across two venues.

“Maybe two venues for these circumstances,” Wasim said. “When we are supposed to go to India for the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, we also might face a reverse situation because of the safety and uncertainty on players’ visas. But we are confident that things will ease out over the period of time.”