LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has planned to bid for five major ICC events to be held from 2024 to 2031, including ODI and Twenty20 World Cups and the Champions Trophy.
It is learnt that the ICC had asked for the expression of interest from its member countries. An independent committee formed by the game’s global governing body will assess the bids in December this year to give its report for a final decision next year.
Pakistan last time hosted an ICC event — 1996 World Cup — jointly with India and Sri Lanka as the global body had pulled out the 2008 Champions Trophy and the 2011 World Cup from Pakistan on security grounds.
After failing to host or co-host any world event in the 2015-2023 cycle, Pakistan is now showing interest to hold international cricket events in the 2024-2031 cycle, believing the security situation across the country has improved.
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Pakistan, it is learnt, will bid to host the Champions Trophy alone, while for the World Cups it will make a joint bid along with any other Asian countries, minus India. It may bid with the UAE, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
However, India’s strong influence on the ICC affairs and in Asia’s cricketing countries may hinder Pakistan’s efforts to host international events. The political tussle between the two nuclear-armed neighbouring countries has had a significantly negative impact on international cricket, as it would not be easy for the ICC to confirm India’s participation in any international events hosted in Pakistan.
