ICC chair Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice to visit Pakistan next week

International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Greg Barclay along with Chief Executive Officer Geoff Allardice, will be visiting Pakistan for a two-day tour on May 30. Notably, this will be the first time in 15 years that an ICC chairman will tour the country since former president Ray Mali’s visit in 2008.

As per Dawn, the duo will reach Pakistan on Tuesday morning and will meet PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi, PCB Chief Operating Officer Barrister Salman Naseer, and other board officials. The committee will also talk about the future of Asia Cup 2023 and will learn about Pakistan's decision of playing in the ODI World Cup.

“While Mr Allardice has regularly visited Pakistan, first as ICC General Manager – Cricket and then as ICC Chief Executive, this will be Mr Barclay’s first visit to Pakistan,” said the PCB media release on Sunday.

“Mr Barclay will be the first ICC Chairman to tour Pakistan since ICC President Ray Mali’s visit in 2008. This will also be the first time since October 2004 that both the top two ICC officials will together visit the Pakistan cricket headquarters,” it added.

This will be the first time since October 2004 when both the top two ICC officials will together visit the Pakistan cricket headquarters,” the press release read.

Notably, India, citing security issues, have already backed out of the upcoming Asia Cup. However, the Men in Blue may play in the tournament if Pakistan hosts it in some other place. Currently, discussions are taking place as UAE and England seem to be the favourites to host the tournament. 

Pakistan, meanwhile, have stated that they are hesitant to place any of their World Cup matches in India. Even if they do, the team is not ready to play in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Thus, ICC are all set to have a meeting with PCB about all these things, and it’s likely to get resolved soon.