Pakistan keen to host ICC events during 2023-2031 cycle

If the history is recalled, one may point out that Pakistan has hosted only one ICC final. Back in 1996, when Sri Lanka won the World Cup against Australia, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore had hosted the title clash. As it turned out, that was the last ICC event match ever in Pakistan.

The 2008 Champions Trophy was supposed to be held in the country. Unfortunately, it was postponed to 2009 and then eventually shifted to South Africa due to the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka players in Lahore in early 2009. Pakistan was supposed to co-host the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011 with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. But there were also stripped off the opportunity after the 2009 incident.

After the attack in 2009, no international cricket was played in Pakistan till 2015. After that, a few teams played a short series in the country. However, in 2019 Sri Lanka played an entire series of Tests, ODIs and T20Is, marking the return of international cricket in the country.

Pakistan aim to submit strong proposal to host ICC events

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will soon start taking bids for the tournaments between 2023 and 2031. Australia is due to host the next Men’s T20 World Cup while India is set to host the 2021 edition of the same tournament and the 50-over mega event in 2023.

For the upcoming cycle, ICC has a total of 28 events which include, Men’s World Test Championship, Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cups, Men’s and Women’s 50-over World Cup and U19 World Cups.

“We are extremely encouraged with the positive response we’ve received for the 2023-31 cycle. We have had close to 100 offers with 18 members showing interest in holding the 28 events proposed for the cycle,” an ICC spokesperson said according to News18.

Considering that 18 members have shown interests, it seems that the bidding might see many countries get involved other than just the traditional ones. In the wake of this, a spokesperson of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also revealed that the board has expressed it interest in hosting an ICC event during the upcoming cycle.

“The PCB has expressed its interest in hosting ICC events during the 2023-31 events cycle. We will work in line with ICC guidelines and look forward to submitting a strong proposal in the coming months,” the PCB spokesman said.