PCB chief demands written assurance from BCCI and ICC about visas for T20 World Cup 2021

PCB chief demands written assurance from BCCI and ICC about visas for T20 World Cup 2021

2021 T20 World Cup

PCB CEO Wasim Khan

India is scheduled to host the T20 World Cup next year. But with the COVID-19 situation still volatile in the country, the fate of the tournament hangs in the balance. Since the first breakout of the virus in the country back in March, India is yet to host an international match with thousands of fresh cases still being reported on a daily basis. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 was shifted to the UAE for similar reasons.

The T20 World Cup 2020 being postponed in Australia due to the ongoing pandemic. But India retained the hosting rights for 2021. With many states reporting second waves of COVID-19, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Wasim Khan feels India might not be in a position to host the tournament next year.

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

It would be best if ICC and BCCI gives written assurance

2021 t20 world cup
T20 World Cup 2021

The political tensions between India and Pakistan have been deepening with time. And this means the nations have not played any bilateral series since 2012 meeting only in ICC events. This has prompted the PCB chief Ehsan Mani to demand a written assurance from the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI). Khan shares that Mani has written to the Indian body regarding the same.

There have been cases where Pakistani athletes were denied permission to take part in sporting events in India. This has prompted the Pakistani officials to put forward such a demand.

“Yes, Mani Sahab (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,” Khan said.

Prior to the big event, India is slated to host IPL 2021 in the first half next year. And England will be visiting the country for a Test series in August. These events will serve as the stepping stone for BCCI to host the T20 World Cup without any hiccups in these unprecedented times.

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