Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed keenness to host major world events during the next eight-year FTP cycle in 2023-31 after being invited to show expression of interest by the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

Pakistan has previously co-hosted the 1987 and 1996 ODIs World Cups and was due to also host matches of the 2011 version of the showpiece event. 

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But unfortunately, the country was removed as co-host by the ICC foreseeing further security issues, as the nation was still reeling from the 2009 Lahore terrorist attack, where a travelling Sri Lankan team bus was targetted. 

Since then, however, the circumstances have definitely improved, with the PCB making great efforts to bring regular international cricket back to the country, hosting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Test fixtures after more than a decade, apart from various limited-overs series. 

"The PCB has expressed its interest in hosting ICC events during the 2023-31 events cycle," a PCB spokesperson told Reuters.

"We will work in line with ICC guidelines and look forward to submitting strong proposal in the coming months."

ICC CEO Manu Sawhney in February toured several member countries with an FTP proposed draft, encouraging bids after the governing body's decision to select hosts of future events through a bidding process. 

"We are extremely encouraged with the positive response we've received for the 2023-31 cycle," an ICC spokesman said.

"We have had close to 100 offers with 18 members showing interest in holding the 28 events proposed for the cycle."

The ICC wishes to add more events to its package to sell to the broadcasters, an idea which cricket boards from India, England and Australia are against, as it would eat into their lucrative bilateral agreements. 

(Inputs from Reuters)