PCB wants ICC to vouch for its players' safety & security in order to visit India for WCs

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought written assurances from BCCI via ICC to ensure its players would t face any hassles in visiting India for T20 World Cup in 2021 and ODI World Cup in 2023. PCB chief Ehsan Mani said that Board had asked apex governing council to ensure that Pakistan players will t face any issues in procuring visas to enter India to participate in showpiece tournaments. Bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan has been halted for a long time following latter's constant involvement in supporting terrorist activities and peddling anti-India narratives. 

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'Written assurances from BCCI...'

Speaking at an interview on YouTube Cricket Baaz channel, PCB chief Ehsan Mani revealed that Board had sought written assurances from BCCI to ensure that its players would get visas to participate in two showpiece events scheduled to be hosted in India. Mani said that with T20 World World Cup unlikely to be hosted this year owing to coronavirus pandemic, wait game had to be played to find out if Australia or India would be hosting it next year as India already possessed hosting rights. PCB chief also indicated that gap available in 2022 could possibly be used to host T20 World Cup if it was cancelled in 2020. 

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Talking about relations with BCCI, Ehsan Mani said that he did t see any prospect of bilateral ties resuming soon between two neighbours, although Boards shared a good relationship. Furr, Mani said that PCB had sought advance assurances from ICC as it was a global event and that it is ir responsibility to ensure that, Pakistan as a full member and signatory of participants' agreement, go and play in se events. PCB chief also revealed that ICC's next executive meeting would most likely decide fate of T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in Australia later this year. 

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PCB hold a firm stance on Asia Cup 2020

In a recent media conference, PCB CEO spoke about prospects of Asia Cup 2020 and any possible cricketing commitments in place of T20 World Cup, should showpiece event gets shifted to a later date. Wasim Khan said that since Pakistan cricket team is set to tour England for three Tests and three T20Is in August, players will return back to country on September 2, i.e. in time for proposed Asia Cup 2020. PCB official rejected any speculation that Asia Cup 2020 will get scrapped in favour of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to organise ir Indian Premier League 2020 (IPL 2020) season.

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