PCB unlikely to support World T20 in 2018, says Shaharyar Khan

PCB chairman says even though T20 is popular among masses, attention is needed towards Test cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan on Tuesday said he was not in favour of the next World T20 tournament taking place in 2018, and insisted that cricket boards needed to pay more attention towards traditional Tests.

In an interview with Press Trust of India, the 82-year-old said that even though T20 is popular among the masses, attention is needed towards Test cricket.

“Yes, T20 cricket is very popular and necessary to globalise the sport, but to me personally it doesn’t appeal as a long term product,” he said.

“Test cricket is the real face of the sport and it must be reinvented and popularised again.

“So far, we don’t know anything about the International Cricket Council (ICC) wanting World T20 to return in 2018, but when the matter does come up we are not likely to support it.”



Recent media reports suggest that the ICC has been in talks with Star Sports to sign a deal for two World T20 tournaments in 2018 and 2020 respectively, which would fetch lucrative revenues.

Assuming an agreement is reached, it would then be voted on at the ICC Annual Conference in June.

PCB chairman clearly indicated that Pakistan would possibly vote against a two-year cycle for the World T20.

“I am a traditionalist and I belong to the old school,” he said.

“To me what is most important now is we pay more serious attention towards reviving Test cricket and even 50-over cricket.”



Shaharyar Khan said that he is not the only one worried about traditional format, but many other former players and cricket administrators were worried too.

“Commercialisation of cricket is there, but we need to strike the right balance,” he said.

However, the ICC has indicated that the revenues generated from sale of broadcast and sponsorship rights for World T20 in a two-year cycle would mean more money to safeguard Tests.