T20 World Cup 2021 could be shifted from India to UAE: PCB CEO Wasim Khan

The 2021 T20 World Cup is all expected to kick off in India amid all the glory and excitement. On the other hand, it has been noticed that COVID-19 cases have once again started seeing a surge owing to the second wave of the virus in the country. In the same light, the Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Wasim Khan believes that there might be a possibility that T20 WC would be shifted to UAE.

Due to the COVID-19 spike in India, the IPL 2020 was also hosted by UAE under a strict bio-secure bubble. Khan stated that the growing number of cases in India can be a great risk for players coming to be part of the T20 WC in 2021 October. It can force the ICC to shift the entire tournament to the gulf country.

“There is still some uncertainty over the World T20 being held in India…yes because of the Covid-19 situation there. It could be in UAE,” said Khan while speaking in an interview on YouTube channel Cricket Baaz.

Wasim Khan has requested ICC to ensure smooth visas for Pakistan cricketers

Khan also added that he has asked ICC again and again that Pakistan players would not have to face any troubles while obtaining the visas for India. Pakistan players would need the Indian visas to ply their trade in the 2021 T20 WC, and owing to their political tensions, Khan thought they might face some difficulties. However, Khan has asked for assurance from ICC’s end for the smooth procedure.

“Yes Mani Sahab (PCB chief Ehsan Mani) has written to them and requested them that given the state of relations between India and Pakistan, it would be best if the ICC and BCCI gives a written assurance about the visas being issued to us,” added Khan.

The PCB and Sri Lanka Cricket discussed among themselves to exchange the hosting rights for Asia Cup 2020, but the tournament got postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the discussion, Sri Lanka would not host the 2021 edition of the Asia Cup, while Pakistan is set to host the 2022 session of the Asia Cup.