LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan dismissed reports that Pakistan had given up its hosting rights of the T20 Asia Cup to Bangladesh in exchange for the latter to send its team for a split-series that got underway on Friday.

After the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) agreed to send its team to Pakistan following a consensus with the PCB over splitting the Twenty20 series and two ICC World Test Championship matches in three phases, there had been reports that Pakistan had given up its hosting rights to Bangladesh.

But talking to reporters before the start of the first Twenty20 match here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Wasim made it clear that hosting rights for the Asia Cup — which is due to be held in September this year — couldn’t be exchanged.

“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 said.

“We are currently considering two venues to host the Asia Cup,” he added. “If India doesn’t come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, we would also refuse participation in the 2021 T20 World Cup there.”

Wasim informed that a security team from Cricket South Africa (CSA) was visiting Pakistan next month as the negotiations were on between two cricket boards of hosting them in March for a T20 series.

He also said that the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) team will be visiting Lahore to play four matches.

“Prominent cricketers including Kumar Sangakara, Ravi Boapra and Moeen Ali are also part of the team,” he informed. “Pakistan Shaheen and Northern team will play the MCC team at the Gaddafi Stadium, while two franchises of the Pakistan Super League namely Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars will play the MCC team at the Aitchison College.”

Wasim concluded saying the PCB would try to at least get the hosting rights of at least three ICC tournaments from its cycle of activities from 2023 to 2030.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2020