The Pakistan Cricket Board is likely to bid for up to five ICC global events during the 2024-2031 tournament cycle of the world governing body for the sport.
Pakistan is gunning to regain its lost cricketing glory by way of hosting the world. The terror-torn State has worn the brunt of desertion by international cricketers for more than a decade.
Confidence-building measures like hosting several international teams and the Pakistan Super League games at home, have given the cricket administrators a new-found confidence to capitalise on.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is now aiming to bid for at least five global events during the 2024-2031 International Cricket Council cycle, which will include two ICC World Cups, four T20 International World Cups and two Champions Trophy events.
News agency PTI, quoting sources in the PCB, has reported that the Pakistan’s bids will include a Champions Trophy edition and a T20 World T20 Cup.
The PCB is in the process of preparing its bids for the ICC events which have to be submitted soon, the news agency has reported quoting a PCB source.
“The ICC had asked for the expression of interest from its member countries. Once the Boards submit their bids, an independent committee of the ICC will assess the bids in December this year to give its report for a final decision next year,” the source said.
The source said Pakistan has already held talks with the Emirates Cricket Board to jointly host some ICC events.
International cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019 after nearly 10 years, a period when top teams refused to tour the country due to security concerns following an attack by militants on the Sri Lankan team in March 2009.
Pakistan had lost the right to host the Champions Trophy matches in 2009 and the 2011 World Cup matches due to security concerns by participating nations.
“Now the situation is different and teams are willing to tour Pakistan and we have revived Test matches in the country. New Zealand, England and West Indies are lined up to tour this year, so things are looking bright,” the source said.
Pakistan had last hosted an ICC global event 24 years ago, when it jointly played host to the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
