Picture Credit: ICC/PCB
The latest buzz in the cricketing circle is the news that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to submit expressions of interest for the six ICC events between 2024 and 2031. The decision was taken after their Board of Governors met on Thursday.
It is being learned that the board wants to host the Champions Trophy in 2025 and 2029 on their own and are also open to the possibility of hosting the T20 World Cup in 2026 and 2028 as well as the 50-Over World Cup in 2027 and 2031 in collaboration with neighbouring Asian countries.
Earlier, the ICC had laid out detailed plans for the world events in the next cycle where as many as eight global tournaments will be held. While the 50-Over World Cup will see 14 teams compete for the title, the T20 World Cup will have 20 sides.
ICC's evaluation committee will evaluate PCB's expression of interest
"The ICC's evaluation committee will now examine and evaluate the PCB as well as other members' expression of interests and revert with their decision, before the second phase of the event hosting process begins in September," PCB said in a statement.
"The PCB remains hopeful that it will earn hosting rights of, at least, one event, which, in turn, will act as a great boost to Pakistan, which last staged an ICC event in 1996," it added.