Pakistan's participation in doubt for Asia Cup T20 2021

After months of speculations around the Asia Cup 2021, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani conveyed to the Pakistan Super League franchises that the governing body of the country’s cricket wasn’t in favour of the national team, taking part in the Asia Cup. The 2021 edition of the competition was going to be played in the T20 format. 

The source of PCB revealed that Mani met with all the franchise owners in a virtual meeting on Thursday. During the meeting, it was also announced that the remainder of the PSL matches will be played in June. The 2021 edition of the league was postponed after 14 of the 34 matches were played. 

Mani addressed the issue as he felt that the PSL in June might have clashed with the Asia Cup, Times Now reported. It was also revealed that the Asia Cup can be shifted to 2023. The last time the tournament was played was in 2018 in the 50-overs format. 

PSL teams wanted the league to be played in April

“Mani made it clear that there was little possibility of the tournament being held this year and it would be moved to 2023 due to the commitments of the participating teams,” the source of the PCB said.

Pakistan was due to host the competition, but there were disagreements from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Mani also revealed that the dates of the Asia Cup will be discussed during the next Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) meeting. 

The sources also revealed that the franchises were not keen on playing the PSL 2021 in June. In fact, they had urged the PCB to talk to Cricket South Africa (CSA) to reschedule the series against Pakistan. The Pakistan tour of South Africa will be played in April, but PSL franchises wanted the league to be played at that time. 

The sources revealed, “But the PCB chairman made it clear they could not do this as they had good relations with CSA which had supported Pakistan cricket by sending its full test team to Pakistan in February.” The Pakistan team will play three ODIs and four T20Is in South Africa.