Ehsan Mani steps down as PCB chairman
Cricket | August 26, 2021 15:47 ISTRumours were circulating that Pakistan's former Test captain Ramiz Raja will take over as the new chairman of the board.
Rumours were circulating that Pakistan's former Test captain Ramiz Raja will take over as the new chairman of the board.
Mani, whose three-year tenure is set to end on Wednesday, is likely to get an extension.
The confirmation came in the form of a statement by Mani in which he outlined plans for next year and the Pakistan Super League.
Mani informed that Sri Lanka will host the Asia Cup in 2022, ruling out any chances of the continental event being staged this year in June.
Mani also said that the Asia Cup scheduled to be held in June this year in Sri Lanka will need to be postponed if India qualifies for the World Test Championships final.
The PCB chairman lashed out at Cricket Australia for refusing to tour South Africa due to Covid-19 pandemic despite being promised a tight bio-secure environment.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ehsan Mani has ruled out any danger to Pakistan’s present tour of New Zealand despite three more members of the 54-strong visiting squad testing positive for COVID-19.
Mani, who was brought in by Prime Minister Imran Khan to set things in order in Pakistan cricket, said he was happy to have fulfilled his commitment of hosting the entire PSL this year at home.
In the past 12 months, Pakistan won two Tests and lost three, won two out of three ODIs (one match was rain abandoned) and won three T20Is out of 12 with three washouts.
According to Mani, it would be "healthier" if someone from other board now leads the ICC because of the "politics introduced" by Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier.
Pointing towards international cricket matches that were held in Pakistan in the last couple of years, Mani said the country remains safe for sports.
The last time the two sides played a Test series against each other was when Pakistan toured India for a three-match series in 2007/08.
Pakistan originally had the hosting rights of the six-team continental event but considering the alarming COVID-19 situation, the PCB board had decided to swap it with Sri Lanka.
Mani's comments came a day after Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings conceded that the global T20 showpiece seems "unrealistic"
PCB chairman said that he has heard the speculations and asserted that it's not in India and Pakistan hands to have Asia Cup as other countries are also involved in the tournament.
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series back in 2008. Ever since, the two arch-rivals have only met in Asia Cup tournaments and ICC events.
Coronavirus has put world sports to a halt with major sporting events getting cancelled or postponed, but PCB was rather lucky given that their home season was almost done prior to the outbreak. However, they have faced an estimated loss of $5.2 million.
PCB chairman Ehsan Mani told a National Assembly standing committee meeting that the board paid each West Indian player around USD 25,000 to come for the tour.
The BCCI has indicated that if the Asia Cup is held in Pakistan, the Indian team won't participate in it and the latest comments from Ehsan Mani hints at a shift of venue.
PCB President Ehsan Mani will meet Bangladesh counterpart Nazmul Hasan to discuss their tour to Pakistan.
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