The PCB chairman is satisfied with the bio-secure environment created by ECB for visiting teams
17 June, 2020
PHOTO: PCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani has expressed his satisfaction over the arrangements made by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the Men in Green’s upcoming tour to England.
Pakistan is scheduled to take on England in three Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), which will be played in August-September.
While speaking to reporters during a teleconference on Wednesday, Mani emphasised that the PCB is not putting players under any kind of danger by approving the aforementioned tour.
"We are not taking any risks with regards to our tour to England. We are satisfied with the bio-secure environment that ECB has created for the visiting teams," he said.
However, the PCB is not too optimistic about any ICC event taking place this year due to the prevailing uncertainty due to Covid-19.
"I don't see any ICC event in 2020 due to Covid-19 but it will not affect ICC financially. I think the T20 World Cup will be postponed," he said.
"It will be a massive risk to gather 12 to 16 teams at one place for the tournament. ICC will take decision about the T20 World Cup in a month," he added.
According to media reports, many of the Test playing nations want Mani to contest the election for ICC chairman next month. However, Mani has ruled himself out of consideration as he aims to continue serving Pakistan cricket.
"I have come back into cricket administration for Pakistan. My entire focus and hard work is dedicated towards Pakistan cricket. I am not looking to run for ICC chairmanship," he said.
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Last week at an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, the PCB offered Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to swap rights for the Asia Cup. According to the offer, this year’s tournament will be played in Sri Lanka, while Pakistan will get the hosting rights of 2022 Asia Cup which was originally slated to be played in Sri Lanka.
"There is no politics behind swapping Asia Cup rights with Sri Lanka. SriLanka is hopeful that they will control Covid-19 till September and that is why we have offered the exchange of ACC Cup hosting with them," he said.
The PCB has drafted new laws against match-fixing and forwarded the document to Prime Minister Imran Khan.
"We want match-fixing to be criminalised. The board has drafted legislation against match-fixing and forwarded it to the government," he concluded.
