Refuting media reports that quoted him as saying that Pakistan would boycott T20 World Cup in India if the ‘Men in Blue’ fail to turn up for Asia Cup on its soil, Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan has clarified that there was no truth in these reports.
Talking to news agency PTI, Wasim Khan said, “T20 World Cup is an ICC tournament and it will be factually incorrect to state that we will pull out of a World Cup if India didn’t come to play Asia Cup.”
Referring to the media reports in Pakistan, Khan said that the context of the conversation was based around Asia Cup which Pakistan has been awarded and is due to host in September this year.
“The question is what if India doesn’t tour Pakistan? My response is the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) then needs to make a decision but since we have been awarded hosting rights, we fully expect the Asia Cup to happen in Pakistan. The ACC will then need to make a decision as to where they will play the India games,” he told PTI.
Interestingly, Wasim Khan also mentioned that it is for the ACC to decide that if India could play their matches of Asia Cup at a neutral venue.
“Possibly. If there’s an India versus Pakistan final, it depends upon the ACC to decide where the final is played. Discussions haven’t taken place yet on formats and scheduling but then that’s ACC’s call,” he added.
Earlier, PCB chief executive Wasim Khan was quoted by Dawn as saying that if the ‘Men in Blue’ would not turn up for the Asia Cup, then Pakistan would retaliate by refusing to participate in the 2021 T20 World Cup slated to be played in India.
“It is not the prerogative of the PCB or the ICC to change the host as it was the decision of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC),” Wasim was quoted as saying by The Dawn.
“If India doesn’t come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, we would also refuse participation in the 2021 T20 World Cup there,” he added.
