PCB firm over not compromising on Asia Cup for the IPL

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn’t mince any words in saying that they won’t be vacating the slot given to the Asia Cup for the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in September and if reports are to be believed the BCCI is planning to host the cash-rich IPL from the 26th of the same month.

Almost halfway through 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has made mockery of all cricketing schedules. There’s confusion over hosting the IPL, Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup later this year in October as well.  The PCB said that a domestic league shouldn’t get more attention than the Asia Cup.

The IPL was scheduled to start on March 29, but had to be postponed for an indefinite time period due to the coronavirus pandemic. Currently, the BCCI is waiting for the ICC to take a call on the T20 World Cup.

Our stance is absolutely clear: PCB

“How PCB can let go of Asia Cup T20 window for the sake of a domestic league. Asia Cup T20 will be organized as scheduled and as decided between the members over the last teleconference. It is important and critical for the finances of PCB and also for the growth of ACC member boards,” a PCB source was quoted as saying in Insidesport.

“Our stance is absolutely clear, the Asia Cup is set for September and the only reason it should not take place is continued health safety issues. We will not accept that the Asia Cup is moved to accommodate the IPL,” PCB CEO Wasim Khan had earlier said.

The source also said that Sri Lanka has been, informally, picked as the host for the Asia Cup. Even the SLC has confirmed that they have started preparing for the T20 tournament. According to sources, the board is preparing to take permissions from the government to host the Asia Cup.

“We had a discussion with PCB and they have already agreed to our hosting this edition due to the present world situation. We had an online ACC meeting (8th June) and they basically gave us the green light to host the tournament,” SLC president Shammi Silva said.