ICC top officials reach Lahore for high-stakes meeting with PCB

LAHORE: ICC Chairman Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice arrived in Lahore on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) top officials. 

International Cricket Council’s high-ups were received by the Chair of the PCB Management Committee Mr Najam Sethi (also an ICC Director) when they reached the board’s headquarters at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Barrister Salman Naseer and other board officials were also present on the occasion.

The visit is believed to be of enormous importance since it came at a time when the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were at odds over the fate of the 2023 Asia Cup.

According to the sources, PCB will discuss the issues related to Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, scheduled in India later this year, with ICC Chairman and CEO in a high-stake meeting.

Matters pertaining to Pakistan’s hosting of the Asia Cup 2023 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will also be discussed.

It is pertinent to mention here that it is the first time Mr Barclay, ICC Chairman, has visited the country. However, Mr Allardice has regularly visited Pakistan, first as ICC General Manager – Cricket and then as ICC Chief Executive.

Mr Barclay is also the first ICC Chairman to tour Pakistan since ICC President Ray Mali’s visit in 2008. This will also be the first time since October 2004 that both the top two ICC officials together visited the Pakistan cricket headquarters.

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