The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani is optimistic about internet hosting India in the Asia Cup in 2023 and hopes the political relations between the 2 neighbouring international locations would enhance by then. Mani knowledgeable that Sri Lanka will host the Asia Cup in 2022, ruling out any possibilities of the continental occasion being staged this yr in June.
“In 2022 Sri Lanka will have it (Asia Cup) and in 2023 Pakistan will be hosting the regional event. I am optimistic that by time the political relations between the two countries would have improved and this would pave the way for the Indian team to come to Pakistan,” Mani mentioned.
“In recent days there has been some positive signs through backdoor channels and hopefully the ice will melt in the relations,” he was quoted as saying by ‘Jang’ newspaper in an interview on Wednesday (March 17).
Mani mentioned if the Indian crew visits its neighbours, it is going to be a ‘big breakthrough’ for Pakistan cricket. Mani additional mentioned that the Asia Cup 2021 is unlikely to be held as Pakistan doesn’t have the time for it due to PSL 6 matches and India may also be busy with the ICC World Test Championship ultimate in opposition to New Zealand.
“There isn’t any query of the Asia Cup being held this yr as we’re very busy and don’t have time to spare this yr.
“There was a small window in June in which we are going to play the rest of the Pakistan Super League matches,” Mani mentioned.
“The Indian team will play the final of the Test Championship against New Zealand. They have to go to England two weeks ago and stay in quarantine so the Indian team is also busy,” he added.
Mani mentioned he hasn’t formally obtained any info on the experiences of India sending its ‘B’ crew for the Asia Cup.
“We have also heard about the Indian board wanting to send a B team to Asia Cup but no one has spoken about it to us.”
Mani mentioned the income earned from the Asia Cup can be spend on selling cricket in affiliate international locations. He mentioned the Asian Cricket Council is assured a correct revenue from the event provided that all of the groups participate in the regional competitors.
Mani additionally disclosed that the ICC had assured the PCB about Pakistan’s participation in the World T20 this yr in India.
