PCB accuses BCCI of 'twisting' facts regarding the availability of Pakistan players in Asia XI vs World XI T20s

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is set to stage a couple of Asia Xi vs World XI Twenty20 matches between March 16 to March 20 in a bid to celebrate the birth centenary of the country’s founding father-Bongobondhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The games have been accorded international status by the International Cricket Council and will be played under the umbrella of the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Asian Cricket Council.

The BCB has requested cricket boards from around the world- and especially India- to send some of their best players to participate in the marquee event. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is set to send five Indian players for the historic occasion. The names of the players will be decided by BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.

However, on the prospect of Indian and Pakistani players coming together for a common cause was downplayed by the BCCI Joint Secretary Jayesh George who told the media on Thursday that there’s no question of Indian and Pakistan players featuring together in an Asia XI as the message that they have got is- no player from Pakistan will be invited.

“What we are aware of is that there will be no Pakistan players in the Asia XI. That is what the message is, so, there is no question of both countries coming together or picking one over the other. Sourav Ganguly will decide the five players who will be a part of the Asia XI,” Jayesh George had said as quoted by Indiatv.com.

PCB downplays BCCI’s claims

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board has now accused the BCCI of spreading misinformation regarding the participation of the Pakistan players in the Asia XI vs World XI fixtures. According to a report in Dawn, the matter was discussed in the Asian Cricket Council where PCB has told the Bangladesh Cricket Board that it will be willing to send its players if the dates of the event are altered since they clash with the PSL.

“The T20Is between World XI and Asia XI were scheduled from March 16-20, while the HBL PSL 2020 is likely to end on March 22. Since dates of both the series couldn’t be changed, we offered our regrets to the BCB, both verbally and in writing, which they understood and accepted. It is unfortunate that the facts were twisted to mislead Pakistan cricket fans and followers,” a PCB spokesperson said.

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