The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has put the entire cricketing schedule into jeopardy. While the sport looks to resume in other parts of the world, it is far from normal in Asia. Despite an upsurge in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident with the upcoming Asia Cup taking place in September-October.
Incidentally, PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are at loggerheads with Asia Cup 2020. BCCI is keen to host IPL 2020 during the September-October window ahead of Asia Cup if the window permits. But PCB is hell bend on hosting the continental competition.
Asia Cup will happen as per schedule – PCB CEO
PCB CEO Wasim Khan asserted that the tournament will go ahead as planned citing that Sri Lanka has less COVID-19 cases. He also added that if Sri Lanka has some problems, they will shift the tournament to UAE.
“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. 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,” Hindustan Times quoted Wasim Khan as saying.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will leave for England on June 28 to play three T20Is followed by the same number of Tests. While the tournament looks in jeopardy with ten cricketers testing COVID-19 positive, Wasim Khan is confident to go ahead as per plan.
Moreover, Wasim Khan also hinted that South Africa will be touring Pakistan next year. Pakistan are looking forward to playing a couple of bilateral series as soon as the October-November window opens up.
“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 added.
