Pakistan aiming to host major ICC events in 2023-31 cycle

Governing body to select hosts of future events through bidding process

Pakistan's Shoaib Malik(R) plays a shot as Bangladesh's wicketkeeper Liton Das looks on during the first T20 international cricket match of a three-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on January 24, 2020. / AFP / ARIF ALIShow less

Pakistan have offered to host global tournaments after the International Cricket Council (ICC) invited expression of interest from its members for the 2023-31 cycle.

Pakistan last staged an ICC event in 1996 when they co-hosted the 50-over World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. The south Asian country has been largely starved of international cricket since the 2009 attack on the touring Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore.

"The PCB has expressed its interest in hosting ICC events during the 2023-31 events cycle," a Pakistan Cricket Board official was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"We will work in line with ICC guidelines and look forward to submitting strong proposal in the coming months."

Pakistan played their first Test on home soil since 2009 against Sri Lanka in December and have hosted Bangladesh this year.

ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney toured several member countries encouraging bids following the governing body's decision to select hosts of future events through a bidding process.

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PSL 2020 team of the tournament

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  1 Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) T20 cricket’s pre-eminent batsman is not a bludgeoner, but an aesthete. His shot making is so crisp, it takes the breath away. The season’s leading run-scorer. AP

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  2 Chris Lynn (Lahore Qalandars) Spoke in Abu Dhabi in November about looking forward to touring Pakistan for the first time. Judged on the way he played, he looked like he loved it. AFP

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  3 Shan Masood (Multan Sultans) Once a stodgy Test opener, now the go-getting captain of the PSL’s outstanding side. It has been quite the transformation for the Kuwait-born batsman. AFP

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  4 Ben Dunk (Lahore Qalandars) Forever blowing bubbles, and plundering opposition bowling attacks. His 99 not out in Lahore’s win over Karachi Kings was arguably the highlight of the tournament. EPA

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  5 Haider Ali (Peshawar Zalmi) Four innings of over 30 and a top score of 69 represented a breakthrough tournament for Peshawar’s new young star. Only 19, but being spoken about as a new national team recruit. AP

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  6 Ben Cutting (Quetta Gladiators) In his role the late middle-order, Cutting faced just 77 balls in the tournament. He sent 13 of them for six. He also took eight wickets for the outgoing champions. AFP

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  7 Shadab Khan (Islamabad United) Mature beyond his years. The 21-year-old was reliable with the ball, and a revelation with the bat. His haul of 263 was the fifth most in the league phase. AP

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  8 Sohail Tanvir (Multan Sultans) Still going strong, 12 years after dominating the first season of the Indian Premier League. His economy rate of 6.8 was the best of any seamer to bowl a significant amount of overs. AFP

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  9 Mohammed Amir (Karachi Kings) Almost as reliable with the ball as his teammate Babar Azam is with the bat. Only three bowlers managed more than his haul of 10 wickets, and he had a respectable economy, too. AFP

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  10 Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans) No spinner managed as many wickets as the 10 the evergreen Tahir took for Multan. He will be 41 by the time the league can think about concluding, but he is still fit and firing. EPA

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  11 Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) The pick of the crop of young Pakistan fast-bowlers, in a competition renowned for the quality of that discipline. Second most wickets, and one of the most thrifty, as well. EPA

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"We are extremely encouraged with the positive response we've received for the 2023-31 cycle," an ICC spokesman was quoted as saying.

"We have had close to 100 offers with 18 members showing interest in holding the 28 events proposed for the cycle."

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani said there is uncertainty surrounding the Asia Cup.

The tournament was scheduled to be held in September in the lead up to the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. Pakistan have the hosting rights for the  tournament, which was scheduled to be played in T20 format this year.

"There's uncertainty over the Asia Cup. Nothing has been decided yet. The whole world is in an uncertain state," PCB chairman Ehsan Mani was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

"You don't know what it will be like in September. Don't get me wrong but it will depend on a number of factors.

"Mere speculation won't help. Maybe the situation will be clearer in a month's time."

Earlier, Indian cricket board president Sourav Ganguly had stated both India and Pakistan will feature in this year's Asia Cup. Ganguly also said his board has no problem with Pakistan hosting the tournament, provided it is held at a neutral location.

Several international games have been called off due to the pandemic and there is no clarity about the fate of the Indian Premier League, which has already been postponed and faces cancellation.