KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board is currently working on various options to bring limited overs cricket to Pakistan this year as both World T20 and Asia Cup are unlikely to go ahead this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Dawn learned through reliable sources that the PCB working on a plan to stage limited overs series in October-November (subject to Covid-19 situation at the time) and is pondering over inviting England for a three-match T20 series.

The PCB has already agreed in principle to send the Pakistan cricket team to England for a full tour in July to play three Test matches and same number of T20Is after seeking a formal approval from Pakistan Government.

According to reliable sources, the PCB is working on these new plans after the recent ICC meeting where important matters like decision on World T20 was to be taken but the meeting was deferred until June 10.

It has been learnt that the ICC World T20 will not takes place this year though Cricket Australia and the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) are yet to agree on an alternate plan for putting forward the World T20 to next year.

According to sources, Cricket Australia wants to postpone this year World T20 until next year and wants India to host World T20 in 2022 instead of 2021. However, the BCCI is yet to agree on this and the matter is now likely to be discussed in next ICC meeting.

Besides, it has been learnt through reliable sources that the PCB has also strongly raised the issue of leakage of confidential information to Indian media before the vital ICC meeting and have demanded investigation into the matter.

It has been learnt that quite a few other member cricket boards have also lodged their protest to ICC over the leaked info in a teleconference held on Sunday. A number of Board members had raised their concerns over this issue recently and felt it required immediate attention to ensure the sanctity and confidentiality of Board matters in line with the highest standards of governance.

There was unanimous agreement to immediately initiate an independent investigation led by the ICC’s Ethics Officer and supported by global experts. The Board will be updated on this by the ICC CEO at its next meeting on June 10..The Board also requested the ICC management continue with their discussions with stakeholders in exploring various contingency options in light of the rapidly changing public health situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2020