Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has warned the country’s cricket board to not accept the ‘lollipop’ offered to it by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the form of the Women’s World Cup.
In a video on his YouTube page, the 54-year-old said the compromise formula — wherein Pakistan will reportedly get the hosting rights for the Women’s World Cup in 2027 instead of financial compensation for agreeing to a hybrid model for the men’s Champions Trophy — would not benefit the country. Instead, he urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to demand for the men’s Asia Cup.
Reports suggest that to break the deadlock over the Champions Trophy, it will be agreed that India’s Champions Trophy matches will take place at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan, the host nation. Similarly, Pakistan’s matches for the 2026 T20 World Cup will not take place in India.
Taking to social media, Ali said: “Now it is being said that in 2027 or 2028, a women’s World Cup will be given to Pakistan. Everybody will say, ‘waah ji waah! This is great, not one but two ICC events (in Pakistan)!’ But what’s the point of events like these? It’s being done so that in 2026, the Pakistan team will travel to India and the Indian women’s team will then come to Pakistan. The broadcasters won’t suffer any losses.
“Do you know what a lollipop is? This is a lollipop the ICC is giving to the PCB…that if you agree to this, don’t ask for anything in writing and we will give you another ICC event. This won’t be of any benefit (to Pakistan). They should rather bid for the Asia Cup, which is next year. The PCB should ask for this. The PCB won’t benefit by hosting the Women’s World Cup or U-19 World Cup. If the PCB accepts this lollipop, they’ll be the losers.”
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