The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking to bid for five major events of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the 2024-2031 cycle when the bidding process for the next cycle begins.
Pakistan had last hosted the World Cup back in 1996 jointly with Sri Lanka and India, and now they are aiming to bid for five major ICC events during the next cycle including the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and ICC Champions Trophy.
According to a report in The Dawn, the current PCB chairman Ehsan Mani is leading a team preparing its bids for the ICC events for the 2024-2031 cycle which have to be submitted soon.
It is also being said that the ICC has asked all the cricket boards to share their interest for the next cycle of ICC tournaments while the ICC’s independent committee will assess the bids in December 2021 and submit its report with the final decision to be announced next year.
The reports also suggested that Pakistan has already held talks with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to host some ICC events in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The source said: “The ICC had asked for the expression of interest from its member countries. Once the Boards submit their bids, an independent committee of the ICC will assess the bids in December this year to give its report for a final decision next year.”
Pakistan had lost the right to host the Champions Trophy matches in 2009 and the 2011 World Cup matches due to security concerns by participating nations, but now the situations improved a lot and teams are willing to travel to Pakistan therefore they are looking to bid for the ICC events.
The source concluded, “Now the situation is different and teams are willing to tour Pakistan and we have revived Test matches in the country. New Zealand, England, and West Indies are lined up to tour this year, so things are looking bright.”
(With PTI Inputs)
