T20 World Cup 2021: Pakistan write 'UAE 2021' instead of 'India 2021' on their jersey despite India being the hosts

The excitement around the upcoming T20 World Cup is growing with every passing day. The non IPL-bound players from most of the teams are reaching the UAE with the tournament set to commence on October 17 with 8 teams fighting it out in the qualifying round to make it to the Super 12. Meanwhile, the teams have also unveiled their special jerseys for the mega event which India is hosting.

In this regard, there might be a controversy coming up with Pakistan at the centre of it. A picture of Pakistan’s jersey is doing the rounds on social media at the moment which can upset the BCCI ahead of the tournament. According to the rules, on the top right of the jersey, all the teams need to mention the name of the ICC event and also the hosts.

Accordingly, ‘ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India 2021’ has to be written on the jersey. Even though the tournament is being played in the UAE, India are the official hosts with the event being moved to the Middle-East due to the prevailing pandemic situation in the country.

Pakistan mention ‘UAE 2021’

However, Pakistan have written ‘ICC Men’s T20 World Cup UAE 2021’ on their jersey which is likely to spark a controversy now. In the picture which has gone viral on social media, the Pakistan skipper Babar Azam can be seen wearing the team’s jersey for the event where UAE are mentioned as the hosts. PCB is yet to unveil the jersey officially and it remains to be seen if the ICC or BCCI ask them to make any changes to it.

The teams featuring in the Qualifying round have already unveiled their jersey for the tournament officially. Even Scotland, who released their jersey a few days ago, have ‘India 2021’ written on their jersey.

India and Pakistan are more often at the loggerheads politically and this move from PCB may rise the tension between the two cricket boards as well now. The arch-rivals are set to face each other on October 24 which will also mark the start of their World Cup campaigns. India boast of the great record against Pakistan in both T20 and 50-over World Cups having won all the matches against them.