Comment about boycotting T20 World Cup in India blown out of proportion: PCB CEO Wasim Khan

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Wasim Khan has clarified that his statement of not touring India for next year’s T20 World Cup was blown out of proportion. On Saturday, there were reports all around that quoted the PCB CEO as saying that if India does not visit Pakistan for this year’s Asia Cup, Pakistan would also do the same when India host the T20 World Cup next year.

Wasim Khan was responding to a question over whether India would travel to Pakistan this year. Pakistan are currently scheduled to host the competition but there are doubts over it because of their poor relationship with India. The bilateral relation between the bitter rivals is now at an all-time low and India are unlikely to tour Pakistan to defend their Asia Cup title.

There are also murmurs that Pakistan might be compelled to shift the venue but as of now, the PCB is adamant of hosting the tournament in its own backyard. And while only time will tell the final venue of the Asia Cup, Wasim Khan has clarified that he did not mean to say that Pakistan would boycott next year’s T20 World Cup in India.

“Not at all. We never stated at any stage that Pakistan would not be touring India. The context of the conversation was based around Asia Cup which we have been awarded and we are due to host in September this year,” the PCB CEO was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

“What I said was that we need to be convinced about the security of our players for the 2021 World T20 in India. That is, if we are granted visas. But never did I say that we would be pulling out of the T20 World Cup. It 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,” he added.

India can play at a neutral venue

Wasim Khan further made it clear that Pakistan are adamant to host the Asia Cup. He further said that the option of India playing at a neutral venue is always open but the call will rest on the Asian Cricket Council. India playing at a neutral venue looks like the only option if ACC lets Pakistan host the competition.

“The question is what if India doesn’t tour Pakistan? My response is the 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,” Khan said.

“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.