'Pakistan may have given Asia Cup hosting rights to Bangladesh' - Shoaib Akhtar

The Rawalpindi express Shoaib Akhtar does not shy away from expressing his views about anything related to cricket. After Bangladesh finally agreed to play a full-fledged series in Pakistan, Shoaib on this YouTube channel has made a sensational claim. The former fast bowler claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board may have given the Asia cup hosting rights to Bangladesh.

Pakistan, who were desperately waiting for the approval from Bangladesh Cricket Board to play a two-Test series under the World Test Championship, finally got their wish. Shoaib Akhtar made a massive statement in which he revealed that Pakistan Cricket Board might have given the Asia cup hosting rights to Bangladesh in return to play a series in Pakistan.

Pakistan were scheduled to host the upcoming Asia Cup but the fast bowler claims that the rights now of hosting may be with Bangladesh. Akhtar said, “There are speculations that Bangladesh has been successful in getting what they want, and also bartered the hosting rights for Asia cup in return to touring Pakistan”.

Shoaib Akhtar lauds PCB

Shoaib Akhtar was all praise for the Pakistan Cricket Board and lauded their efforts to bring Test cricket back to their home soil. The fast bowler also emphasised on the fact that Pakistan is one of the safest countries to tour in the world today.

“We must give credit to PCB chairman Ehsan Mani and Wasim Khan, for their sheer hard work that international cricket has returned to Pakistan. I would also say to people not to speak against Bangladesh, as they are doing this because of unseen pressure that cannot be spoken publicly,” said Akhtar as quoted by TimesNow.

“Pakistan is the safest country in the world statistically, Sri Lanka who was attacked came to Pakistan and portrayed that there is no danger. Split series makes a little sense but the message to the world might have a negative message”.

The Bangladesh tour of Pakistan will be played in three legs. Bangladesh will play Pakistan in a three-match T20I series at Lahore between January 24- January 27 and the two test match series has been split between February and April because of the Pakistan super league.

The first Test will be played at Rawalpindi from 7 February and the second at Karachi from April 5. In between the two Test matches, a one-off ODI will take place on April 3.

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