We are capable of hosting a big ICC event: PCB Chief Wasim Khan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a lot of efforts to bring back to the country. The attack on Sri Lanka team in 2009 had led to the entire generation missing cricket at home. Pakistan used to play their home matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A number of series have taken place now in the country now with teams like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh playing Test cricket as well besides the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was entirely held at home this year.

Though the tournament had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the response from the crowd and the foreign players was exceptional when it came to the security arrangements in the country. The PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan has cited the same reasons now to host an ICC event in the near future. Pakistan were supposed to co-host the 2011 World Cup but the 2009 terrorist attack on Sri Lanka changed everything for them.

“I don’t think hosting international cricket is now such a big issue for Pakistan as the security situation has improved now. The fact that we have logistically hosted the entire Pakistan Super League in Pakistan and also teams like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for Test matches besides other smaller events and series shows we are capable of hosting a big ICC event,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.

Wasim Khan highlights losses due to no India series

Wasim Khan also tried to link the hosting of the ICC event with the lack of bilateral series between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Both the teams faced each other in bilaterals last in 2012 when the Men in Green travelled for a short ODI and T20I series. But since then the strained relations between the countries has affected cricket as well.

“There appears to be little chance of India and Pakistan playing and we have already suffered losses in millions of dollars,” Wasim further added. With no cricket across the world due to the global pandemic, all the boards are suffering huge losses and the future measures will be discussed soon in a video conferencing call with the ICC.

“There is no doubt that because of the coronavirus pandemic every board is facing a big challenge to reduce their financial losses as much as they can. We are all in the same boat. We have similar interests. When this conference is held we will be discussing future measures,” the PCB Chief concluded.