- Next week, the chairman and CEO of ICC will travel to Pakistan.
LAHORE: International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice are scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to Pakistan on May 30th. The visit holds significant importance as it marks Barclay’s inaugural trip to Pakistan and makes him the first ICC chairman to tour the country since 2008, when former president Ray Mali visited.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated in a press release that this will be the first time in nearly two decades that the top two ICC officials will visit the headquarters of Pakistan cricket together. While Allardice has previously visited the country on multiple occasions, initially as the ICC’s General Manager for Cricket and later as the Chief Executive, Barclay’s presence reinforces the ICC’s commitment to engaging with cricketing nations across the globe.
Upon their arrival in Lahore on Tuesday morning, Barclay and Allardice will meet with PCB Management Committee Chair Najam Sethi, PCB Chief Operating Officer Barrister Salman Naseer, and other board officials. The discussions are expected to touch upon various matters of mutual interest and cooperation.
Notably, the visit takes place amidst strained relations between Pakistan and India concerning the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup. Bilateral cricket between the two nations has been adversely affected by political tensions, resulting in matches being limited to multi-team events held in neutral venues.
In response to safety concerns, India has declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in September. The PCB has proposed a “hybrid model” whereby the matches could be played in the United Arab Emirates, allowing India to participate while addressing their security apprehensions.
Furthermore, PCB’s Najam Sethi has expressed the possibility of Pakistan boycotting this year’s World Cup if they lose the hosting rights for the Asia Cup. Such a decision would be a response to the evolving situation and would further emphasize the significance of hosting rights for Pakistan.
The visit of ICC Chairman Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice to Pakistan carries both symbolic and practical implications, demonstrating the ICC’s commitment to supporting and engaging with cricketing nations, as well as addressing the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding bilateral cricket in the region.
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