Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Wasim Khan on Wednesday (June 24) made it clear that the Asia Cup will go ahead as scheduled later this year, either in Sri Lanka or UAE.
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Khan also rubbished speculation that the multi-nation tournament could be scrapped to accommodate the 13th edition of Indian Premier League, which remains suspended until further notice due to COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Asia Cup will go ahead. The Pakistan team returns from England on 2nd September so we can have the tournament in September or October," Wasim Khan said at a media conference, reported PTI.
"There are some things which will only get clear in the due course of time. We are hopeful of having the Asia Cup because Sri Lanka has not had too many cases of the Coronavirus. If they can't do it, then UAE is also ready," he added.
Khan said Pakistan, the original host of Asia Cup 2020, had agreed to let Sri Lanka organise the event in return for hosting the next regional tournament.
There are some media reports claiming that the T20 World Cup won’t go ahead as planned in October-November and the PCB CEO confirmed that the board is exploring options to play cricket in that window.
"We are to go to New Zealand in December after hosting Zimbabwe at home. South Africa are ready to tour in January-February to play two or three Tests and some T20 matches," he disclosed.
When asked about cricketing ties with India, the PCB official was very clear that there was no possibility of bilateral series with the arch-rivals in the immediate future.
"Sadly we need to forget about playing India for the time being. It is sad for us and even the BCCI as they have to get permission from their government. It is not realistic for either side right now to think about playing against each other," he said.
"...the PCB has done its contingency planning and looked at our financial affairs for next two to three years. We are also trying to diversify our commercial streams so that we are not reliant only on ICC shares," Wasim Khan concluded.
(With PTI inputs)
